Harlow Melvin Vincent

Harlow Melvin Vincent 11/1/1924 ~ 5/24/2010 A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on May 24, 2010 after a long struggle with poor health incident to being 85 years old. Harlow was born August 1, 1924 in Salt Lake City, Utah to John "Jack" and Agnes Vincent. He was a child of the Great Depression and remembered making do with homemade flour sack underwear and sledding down the steep roads near 800 South in Salt Lake City. Dad grew up with loving parents and three sisters and two brothers. He attended public schools in Salt Lake City and graduated from East High School. He then attended the University of Utah where he graduated with a degree in Business. Harlow worked for Premium Oil Company for 40 years and was the Vice President of the company when he retired. Harlow served in the Army during the Korean War. He repaired holes in aircraft in tight spaces where only he could fit. He served his country honorably until discharged. Grandpa met his eternal companion, Victoria Maxine Edmonds, at the University of Utah. They were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 28, 1949. They spent a frugal honeymoon in Sun Valley, Idaho and discovered as they checked out that all of their expenses had been and would have been paid. Great grandpa was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a worthy priesthood holder. He served his Heavenly Father in many callings including teaching youth, as a home teacher, a ward clerk, and counselor in a bishopric. He and his wife Maxine served missions greeting visitors and providing tours at Temple Square and Church historic sites in Saint George, Utah. Dad provided financial support and a suit to all of his children and grandchildren who served or are serving missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dad's most important teaching and service was as a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was and is a kind, gentle, considerate, and loving father. He never raised his voice to his beloved wife, Maxine, and they never argued. Maxine's welfare, happiness and comfort were Dad's life's work. He worked hard and taught his six children, 25 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren how to work. Grandpa was always blessed with adequate financial means and taught his family how to share the blessings of life. He not only provided for the physical needs of his family but those of countless friends and relatives with whom he shared his homes over the years. There always seemed to be room for an extra plate at the dinner table or an extra bed for those in need and if those needs lasted for months, they were met by Grandpa and Grandma. Dad loved to garden. Each spring there were new flowers to plant and fruit trees to spray for worms. He played the organ and piano. He played the piano and sang with his children. Dad would wrestle, play with, and tickle his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to tell stories and especially funny ones. He loved to laugh while telling stories until tears rolled down his checks and he couldn't talk. Dad's laughter was contagious and shared by all who knew and loved him. Dad loved to buy ice-cream "medicine" for his family. Whenever the family gathered there were children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of all ages who spontaneously had pains, aches, and illnesses that required "medicine" to cure and grandpa was ready and willing to buy however much "medicine" was needed. Grandpa loved to spend time at his mountain cabin on the Provo River. There and on near by lakes he taught all of his children and interested grandchildren how to fish. There were frequent family vacations to Yellowstone, Lake Powell, California and other destinations. A Patriarch has returned home to his Heavenly Father and there is and will always be a void that his posterity can only try to fill by following his loving example. He constantly asked about the welfare of his wife, children, and grandchildren and was always willing to offer love and support. Harlow was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Laverne Stevens. He is survived by his wife, Maxine; children Bryan (Bonnie), Scott (Luann), Alan (Karen), Kirk (Sara), Kristen (Paul) Lefevor, Jill (Gordon) Jack who have all married in The House of the Lord; 15 grandsons, 10 granddaughters, four great grandsons, two great-grand daughters; two sisters, Betty Cook and Barbara Duncan, and two brothers, Grant and Lee Vincent. Viewing will be on Thursday, May 27th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m at the Olympus 1st Ward located at 4100 Camille St, Holladay. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing prior from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The family thanks Estelle Gill for the patient and kind care she provided to Harlow and Maxine that allowed them to live at home for as long as possible.