Myron Eugene Stam Sr. passed away peacefully in the arms of his wife and surrounded by family Tuesday, July 13, 1999 at the age of 86 due to complications from an abdominal aneurysm.
Myron was born Feb. 5, 1913 to Peter William and Myra Manning Williams Stam in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was one of eleven children. Myron met Flora Denney at the Ensign 27th LDS Ward in 1935 and they were married on June 25, 1936 in Salt Lake. On June 14, 1965 the marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDSTemple.
Myron was born in Salt Lake and lived in both Draper and Murray before graduating from Bryant Jr. High and the LDS High in Salt Lake. He studied art under A.B. Wright, Gordon Cope and the late Ranch S. Kimball and was employed by the Kimball Sign Co. for several years as a commercial artist. With his own shop, he did work for the Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune and Telegram, KSL, KDYL and KLUB. At this time he met Merk Christensen of the Merk Decorators and contracted with Utah State for the sign concession at the State Fair from 1934 to 1936. In 1938 he prepared a scale model diorama to secure the contract for building Utah's exhibits at Treasure Island (San Francisco) and the New York World's Fair in 1939. His entry was successful. Because of the difficulty of procuring materials with the nation at war, it became necessary for him to close his shop and on March 12, 1942 he joined the U.S. Army Engineers and was there until April 17, 1946, at which time he started his own business again. In cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, he designed and built, in 1947, the Quadrimodel display of the anticipated works for the Central Utah Water Project for its introduction to the people of Utah. In 1951 he was offered the opportunity to do art work for Wagner Bag Co. and St. Regis Co., doing art work for various businesses which was then converted to engraved rubber printing plates. He began freelancing in 1961, designing for the Packaging Corp. of America and Salt Lake Stamp Co., improving and enlarging their ability to produce art work and detailed soft rubber hand engraved plates for carton and bag producers. He retired from this employment in May 1986.
His church assignments include M-Men president; counselor and superintendent in the Sunday School, counselor to the bishop; last bishop of the Grant 9th Ward, High Priest group leader, home teacher, and Gospel Doctrine teacher. He was a member of the Murray Olympus Male chorus for 19 years.
He is survived by his wife, Flora; children; Myron E. Jr. (Royanne), So. Jordan, Patricia (J. Larry) Bradshaw, Salt Lake, Dianne Ruth Tucker, Salt Lake, Marsha J. (Mark R.) Ford, Murray; 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard V. (Murriel) Stam, Salt Lake; sisters, Barbara S. Bretzing, Boise, Id., Ardith S. Johanson, Salt Lake, Shirley S. Mitchell, San Diego, Ca.; sisters-in-law, LaVern Kirk Stam, Sandy, Rose Stam, Salt Lake. Preceding him in death were his parents and the following brothers and sisters: William, Joseph, Marvin, Rebecca S. Kauffman, and two infant sisters, June and Ruth.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 16, 1999, 11 a.m., at the Murray 1st Ward, 363 East Vine St. Friends may call Thursday 6-8 p.m. at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State, Murray and one hour prior to the services Friday at the church. Interment: Redwood Memorial Estates.
In lieu of flowers family suggests donations to the American Heart Assoc.-Utah Office, 1937 So. 300 West, SLC, 84115.