Jack Minchey was born on December 4, 1932, to Lester June Minchey and Alice LaVon Carlow in Sweets, Carbon County, Utah. His dad was a coal miner, and his mother was a homemaker, raising five children on a farm in Cleveland, Utah.
Jack had three brothers, Lester, Henry, and Mark, and a sister, Lynn Ann. He met a pretty young girl his age one day when he rode up on a horse, pulling his brother Henry on a sleigh. That young girl, Zelma Louise Allen, knew at that moment that Jack was the one for her. They were married on March 18, 1950, and spent a wonderful 76 years together.
Jack and Zelma settled in Grantsville and had three children: Michael Jack (Mike), Nannette, and Linda; six grandchildren: Michelle and Jack Minchey, McKell and Traci Millward, and Kristi and Allie Lawrence; and thirteen great-grandchildren. They also welcomed many bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren who still called them Grandma and Grandpa. In their later years, they were lovingly known as the “GGs.”
Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers. His son, Mike, was tragically killed in an accident in 1979.
Jack was a hard worker with a strong work ethic, always providing for his family. He worked on the crew that built Guardsman Pass, served in the National Guard, and worked at the Tooele Army Depot. Later, Jack worked at the Marblehead Lime Plant for many years and retired as plant manager from Utah Lime & Stone.
Everywhere Jack worked, he had stories about people he admired, respected, and learned from—and never a bad or unkind word to say about others. He set that same example for his family.
Anyone who knew Jack knows he lived life to the fullest. He had a sharp sense of humor and was quick to laugh, with a special way of teasing that made the recipient feel special.
Together, Jack and Zelma enjoyed spending time with friends, especially the Rowberry family, and loved the outdoors. Above all, time with family was what mattered most to him. Many special memories were made while camping and waterskiing, where he spent countless hours teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy the best parts of life.
Jack passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, exactly the way he wanted—at home, with his sweetheart, Zelma, by his side.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the Grantsville City Cemetery.
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