JOHN, Harold LaMell

Vining Funeral Home, Safford, Arizona LaMell John May 21, 1930 - June 2, 2014 Harold LaMell John, age 84, of Safford, entered into eternal rest Monday afternoon, June 2, 2014, at the Arbors Assisted Living Home in Safford, with his loving family at his bedside. LaMell was born in Safford and graduated as a proud Bulldog. He was the oldest son of Harold Levi and Eula Talley John. Lamell was well known from his high school years as the best all-around athlete in the state of Arizona. He set the high jump record his senior year for Safford High School and held the record from 1948 to the late 60’s. LaMell had an opportunity to try out for the decathlon in the Olympics. He was offered full ride scholarships to UofA, ASU, BYU and Utah State and he chose UofA and played a football season for UofA, a season of basketball and football for Gila College. LaMell met the love of his life Madge Hawkins at Crandall’s Pharmacy on Main Street. She worked with her sister Fern Crandall as a counter waitress. He decided he loved Madge and ranching more than he liked playing football. LaMell and Madge were married in 1950 and moved to Denver Colorado to work with his dad, Harold John and brother-in-law Pete Brawley and sister Loretta on the family ranch. LaMell, Madge and 3 children returned to the Gila Valley after 5 years in Colorado. He worked for the Graham County Sheriff’s department, Fannins Propane, and the Arizona Corporation Commission and various other jobs to provide for his family. In 1963 he became employed by Rex Ellsworth and moved his family to the 3 Links farm and ranch, 20 miles north of Benson, Arizona along the San Pedro River. He taught his kids how to work hard, play hard and be back for supper on time. During this time in Benson, LaMell and family were sealed in the Mesa Arizona LDS temple on June 24, 1966. LaMell, Madge and their 4 sons returned to Safford in 1974. The family built and operated Valley Meat Packing Co. north of the Gila River for almost 20 years. Because of his entrepreneurial spirit he was always working on other projects including having the opportunity to work with his brother Stanley and bring one of the first RASTRA building material manufacturing plants to the US. He continued on with the help of his sons and created a family manufacturing plant in Eden called Eterna Building Systems that his sons successfully manage and operate today. LaMell is survived by: his love of 64 years, Madge Hawkins John; two daughters, Mellani Phelps and Paula Crosby, each of Mesa; four sons, Todd LaMell John, Harold Drew John, Jace Lincoln John and Grady Ashton John; from the Gila Valley; her younger sister, Loretta Brawley, of the Gila Valley; and younger brother, Stanley John of Buckeye, Arizona. LaMell and Madge have twenty-one grandchildren and forty-eight great grandchildren that also survive. LaMell was proud of his kids and they were proud of him. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of LaMell John please visit our Sympathy Store.