Arnold Mecham

September 26, 1922 – July 3, 2017

With his devoted wife at his side, Arnold slipped peacefully into eternity while at home on July 3rd.

He was born in Mountain Home, Utah on September 26, 1922, the fourth of six children born to Ina and Adelbert Mecham. Arnold was raised with four brothers, Delmar, Wayne, Willard Bovee, Evan and his favorite sister, Jean. The family ranched on their Mountain Home homestead before moving to Mount Emmons when Arnold was thirteen. He attended Utah State University for two years before joining the military in 1944. A member of a B-17 crew stationed in England with the 95th Bomb Group of the Mighty Eighth, Arnold was a ball turret gunner. He rarely discussed his military service except when recalling the "good missions" when he participated in Operation Chowhound which dropped food to the Dutch people in the spring of 1945. Following his active military service, he continued to proudly serve his country in the National Guard until 1961.

Arnold was happily married to Maxine Snyder Mecham, also from the Uintah Basin, from 1944 until her death in 1998. Arnold and Maxine were loving parents to daughter, Peggy (Ken) Riemer, granddaughter, Katie Dixon, and great grandson Dominic Dixon.

After Arnold's graduation from the University of Utah, the family lived in Pocatello, Idaho, Helena, Montana and Boise. He spent his working life in the wholesale and retail grocery business, purchasing M & W Markets in the Boise area and Eastern Oregon in 1966. He was also active in the community and among his many activities particularly appreciated his twenty-five year membership in the Rotary Club and skiing with the Northwest Ski Patrol Association. He enjoyed playing golf with the Dew Sweepers at Crane Creek Country Club where he was a founding member.

Arnold married June Daniels Hansen, who he knew from his childhood in the Uintah Basin, in 2001. In addition to his dear wife, daughter, granddaughter and great grandson, Arnold is survived by his step-children, Linda (Clarence) Wagner, Brian Hansen, Adrian Hansen, Deborah Lemann, and Chris (Michelle) Hansen, brother Willard, sister Jean, numerous and deeply loved nieces and nephews and step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

While his passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts, Arnold will be remembered as a loving husband and a cherished father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His family will always treasure the time we had together.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 7th, at Relyea Funeral Chapel at 11:00am, preceded by a viewing at 10:00am. Immediately after the life celebration, interment will take place at Dry Creek Cemetery followed by a reception at Crane Creek Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Arnold's memory can be made to the Boise Rescue Mission, P. O. Box, 1494, Boise, Idaho 83701.

Idaho Statesman, Friday, July 7, 2017