Memorial for Grandpa John

My grandfather passed away last November and we had a celebration of his life on June 11^th in my home town of Driggs Idaho. We had waited until all of the family would be able to attend since many of us traveled from many different states to get there. My grandpa John is actually my dad’s stepfather but my dad says that he is responsible for teaching him everything he knows. He actually said that if it was not for him he may never have learned how to turn a wrench.  My dad provided for our family most of his life with his hands, mostly doing construction. If it was not for John A taking him in as one of his own son’s my life could have turned out very differently.

John Anton Melehes

John Anton Melehes of Manhattan, MT died November 21, 2010. He was 88.

John was born January 10, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1950 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Thiokol Corporation in Utah for twenty years, retiring in 1977. He was also one of the principle engineers that designed the Minute Man Missile Systems.

John later moved to Alta, Wyoming where he built the Teton Teepee Lodge with his children. He was also responsible for building the Targhee Village Golf Course in Alta and the Bunkhouse motel in Driggs, Idaho.

John later moved to Manhattan, Montana and lived there with his wife Joy until his death.

John was a Pilot, First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force during WWII.

John loved motorcycling, skiing, traveling and working in his shop and was a master of crosswords.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Kim Melehes.

Survivors include his wife Joy, his children Mark Melehes, Squeak Melehes, Dana Ross, Marsha Black, Brenda Baker, Marlowe Beck, Sam Cross, Bridget Maddox and 25 grandchildren.

We started out our trip with dinner and then headed over to our hotel where we were staying. We got up Saturday morning and went and played 9 holes of golf at Targhee Village golf course. This is the golf course my grandfather designed and it is beautiful. We took Greydon with us to the golf course and he has a blast.

The Wake was that afternoon at the Teton Teepee. This is a ski lodge my father and all of his brothers and sisters built with the idea and inspiration from grandpa John. We all shared memories, laughs and tears for about an hour. Then we had a Rum and Coke toast (his favorite drink) and we danced the night away to a band that Grandpa had liked.

The next morning we all gathered at the Teton creek behind the Teepee and spread his ashes in the water along with some flowers. It was a good time and exactly how he would have wanted things to go.

I love you grandpa!! Rest in peace.