Melvin R. (Mel) Gunnarson |
| Posted 2008-12-27 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Camp Verde Bugle, Camp Verde, Arizona Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Melvin R. Gunnarson, ("Cornville Mel") 87, passed Saturday, Dec. 13 in Cottonwood, Ariz. He was born on Sept. 4, 1921, in Grandy Center, Iowa. His daughters are hosting a Celebration of his Life Friday, Dec. 19, 2008 from 4-7 p.m. at Murphy's Grill 747 S. Main St., Cottonwood. He eloped with the love of his life, Gloria Jenkins, on July 4, 1942. He was a WWII Veteran living in Iowa until 1956 when he moved his family to Arizona. He and his wife were the first husband-and-wife team to receive their barber license in Arizona. In the early 1970s, they retired from barbering and moved to their dream home in Cornville. Mel and Gloria and their associate developed 3 Garden Estates, Melglo Estates and Mt. View Ranchos along with other real estate investments. He was active in the Jerome Elks Lodge, awarded Elk of the Year in 1984. In later life he was part of the Chamber of Commerce' Chuck Wagon Gang. For many years he provided lambs for 4-H projects and was proud that many were champions. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Anna Gunnarson; his sister Lois Egner and his wife of 48 years, Gloria. Mel is survived by his daughter Sheri Johnson (Tyrone) of Haslett, MI and Linda Miller (Bill) of Kingman, Ariz.; his grandsons Chief Petty Officer David Cannon currently serving at Pearl Harbor and John Cannon of Phoenix; and his niece Cindy Page (Steve) and family of Cornville; and two nephews out of state. His family invites you to attend his Celebration of Life. Join them in sharing memories. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made in his memory to Northern Arizona Hospice, 269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood or Cornville Historical Society, c/o Fay Mauk, Treas., 2075 N. Page Springs Rd., Cornville, Ariz., 86325. |
Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.
Questions About This Project?