Tura Melvin Aldous Jr. "Mel"

Tura Melvin Aldous Jr, “Mel” (75) passed away peacefully Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Johnson City, TN with his wife and his children surrounding him. He was born May 19, 1951 in Salt Lake City, UT to Tura Melvin and Maxine (Shosted) Aldous.

When he was 18, Mel learned to cook as he served in the mess hall as a cook in the United States Army. He would go on to share his love of cooking and baking with family. He was well known for chokecherry syrup, pizelles, rolls, and gingerbread cookies.

He married Judy Frankland February 16, 1972 and together they brought their three daughters; Tracy, Heather and Kimberly into this world. His girls were his entire world. Mel loved managing the toy department at Grand Central because it meant that he could spoil his girls with new toys often and spend a lot of time with them. Mel and Judy later divorced, but he also loved her two kids, Amanda and Justin Sequaptewa, and strived to keep them close with his girls.

Mel married Jean Baumgardner May 6, 1987 where Mel immediately and proudly gained three more kids; Amanda “Mandy”, Jennifer “Jenny”, and Christopher “Chris”. Together Mel and Jean completed their family with their daughter, Mary Katherine “Katie”.

Mel looked to find and spread joy in his work as he drove a catering hot truck “Mel’s Diner” and later working for the United States Transportation Security Administration in the Salt Lake Airport. He made friends with everyone along the way as he loved to joke and talk with everyone.

Mel was an avid and dedicated Utah Football fan his entire life and relished that he played the trumpet for the Utah marching band, “The Pride of Utah”.

Mel loved his sport teams, The Miami Dolphins, The New York Yankees and The Los Angeles Dodgers. He was always wearing a baseball hat to support teams as he cheered for them. He found true joy in baseball and shared that love with his family through coaching softball at many levels, watching every game he could on tv or listening on the radio, traveling to many major and minor league games, collecting and giving baseball cards and playing Vintage Baseball with his family and friends.

Mel knew history, but especially family history. He had a gift and worked hard to help family, friends and anyone he met to find their family’s genealogy and stories.

Mel loved the mountains, camping and hunting primarily as he shared that time with his kids. Many fond memories of hunting for deer, Christmas trees or chokecherries will be forever cherished.

Mel loved celebrating Christmas with as many lights as he could, blow molds and handmade decorations. Mel shared his talents and generosity of time as he spent many months each year hand making and painting ornaments for each of his kids and grandkids along with many cherished handmade gifts.

Mel loved his family. He enjoyed sharing wisdom and teaching life lessons. He passed on many talents and traditions but also left countless memories of humor, kindness, service and love.

Mel was proceeded in death by his parents and his brother, Lynis. He is survived by his wife, Jean, his kids; Tracy (Brent) Martinez, Mandy Nelsen, Heather (Jason) Walker, Jenny (Jim) LeVasseur, Kimberly (Benjamin) Falkner, Chris (Sabra) Nelsen, and Katie (Jerry) Judy and by his 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Mel’s family wishes to thank the many doctors, nurses and staff at each of the hospitals and care facilities who took time to get to know Mel as they cared for him in the last few months.

Mel wished to be buried back home in Utah close to the mountains and to his family.

There will be a funeral service honoring Mel on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Memorial Mountain View

3315 E Bengal Blvd

Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Visitation 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm

Services will begin at 2:00 pm

Interment will be at Memorial Mountain View following the services.

There will also be a memorial in Greeneville, TN to honor Mel:

Saturday, July 11, 2026

10:30 am

1109 Sun Valley Dr.

Greeneville,TN 37745