~ IN MEMORY ~
WA/DL Capt. Melvin Rozema
September 23, 1939 ~ December 14, 2022
Notice of passing….retired Western/Delta
pilot Captain Melvin “Mel” Rozema, age 83.
Mel joined Western Airlines 08-05-1963 and retired with Delta Air Lines based
SLC. Widowed in 2013, Mel is survived
by his children and their families. Obituary
information may be viewed online at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/saltlaketribune/name/melvin-rozema-obituary?id=38506623
A celebration of life will be held in April 2023
at SkyPark Airport, Woods Cross UT. If you are interested in attending, please
email celebratingmel2023@gmail.com
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
: MELVIN
ROZEMA OBITUARY
Centerville, UT- Mel was born in Chugwater,
Wyoming on September 23, 1939 to parents Bessie Rozema (née Ferguson) and Harry
Rozema. He was the third of four children. He grew up on the family farm, and
in 1946 they moved from Wyoming to Utah.
In June of 1957 Mel borrowed $100 from his
father for private flying lessons. He was determined to learn to fly, citing
his fascination of birds and their effortless flight and a little yellow crop
duster that landed at a neighboring farm when he was a child as motivating
factors. Mel worked his way through school, became a flight instructor and then
began flying for the United States Postal Service, the Atomic Energy
Commission, the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management,
Idaho Fish and Game, as well as being a charter pilot. He later became an
airline pilot, flying for Western and Delta Airlines, retiring after 33 years.
He continued with his hobby plane, a Cessna 180. He enjoyed backcountry flying,
often landing to fish, camp and pan for gold in the wilderness. After retiring
from flight because of his age - he channeled his energy into remote control
airplanes until his eyesight declined.
He married Sharol 'Sherry' Garner in 1961
and they started a family. Ken, Lane and Karen were raised in the home they
built in Centerville, Utah. Together they instilled in their children a love of
the great outdoors - camping, snowmobiling, gardening and traveling.
He cherished his grandchildren, Alyssa and
Colton. He held dear to his heart his time with his four great grandchildren:
Adalyn, Arden, Ellie and Aven. Visits with his family brought him true joy and
he was very proud of his children.
He served as the airport manager and fought
tirelessly for SkyPark Airport in Woods Cross, Utah for many years. You could
often find him mowing the grass or plowing the snow because he took pride in
all of his work. Mel loved working in the wood shop at his hangar at the
airport, carefully crafting intricate chess and domino sets, beautiful wooden
clocks and furniture. His talent and precision was remarkable.
He enjoyed mingling with his many beloved
friends at the Down Under, Sunshine Cafe, Alice's Cafe and Ramblin Roads. He
had countless lifelong friends and amazing neighbors that he shared many
hunting and camping trips, barbecues and shenanigans with.
In February 2013, he suffered a terrible
loss when his loving and loyal wife, Sherry, passed away. After that he felt
like a piece of him was missing and he never truly recovered. I can recall him
often saying, "I've lost my mate and now I don't know what to do."
Mel was as stubborn as they come and rough
around the edges, but his old age and humbling life experiences brought in a
tenderness that we rejoiced in. He always gave wise advice, he was generous and
forgiving. He loved cracking jokes, watching NASCAR and Jazz games with Sherry,
canning tomatoes, working in the garden and he made one hell of a brisket.
In October of 2022 Mel was diagnosed with
throat and lymphatic cancer and he came prepared to fight. Karen was by his
side every single day, at every medical appointment and cared for him
selflessly during his battle. After beginning treatment he and his body decided
he could no longer carry on and he passed away at Lakeview Hospital in the
company of his devoted daughter and faithful son-in-law, Jeff.
Mel is survived by Ken Rozema and Amy Stoker
of Salt Lake City, UT; Lane Rozema of New York City, NY; Karen and Jeff Argyle
of Centerville, UT; Alyssa, Adalyn, Arden and Aven Argyle of South Ogden, UT;
Colton, Jordan and Ellie Argyle of Centerville, UT.
A celebration of life will be held in April
of 2023 at SkyPark Airport. If you are interested in attending, please email celebratingmel2023@gmail.com
…………………………………………………….
Wife Sherry’s obituary : http://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2013/03/sherry-rozema-wife-of-wadl-capt-mel.html
Sharol ‘Red’ ‘Sherry’ Rozema, wife of WAL/DAL
pilot Capt. Melvin A. ‘Mel’ Rozema
December 19, 1934 ~ February 23, 2013
Notification of the passing of Sharol
Garner Rozema, wife of WA/DL Captain Melvin Rozema. Sharol was 78 years of age
at the time of her passing on February 23rd.