MELVIN SALWAY TAGG, passed away in the early morning hours of August 26th, 2021, in Cardston at the age of ninety-three years. He had been suffering from cancer. He went peacefully in his sleep. His parents were Robert and Eva Tagg. He is survived by his wife of seventy years, Wilma Hansen Tagg, and his brother Howard of Lethbridge, as well as by his and Wilma’s seven children and their spouses, thirty-five grandchildren, seventy-eight great-grandchildren.
Melvin was born in Cardston in 1928 and attended Cardston High School where he was active in sports, especially basketball. His attention then turned to service in the Church. He was called on a mission and served almost three years, mainly in New Zealand and the Cook Islands where he learned to speak the Maori language fluently. Upon his return he attended the University of Alberta where he obtained a B.Ed. degree. He and Wilma Hansen were married in the Alberta Temple December 26, 1951, then honeymooned in Waterton.
Melvin had teaching as an avocation and taught for the seminaries and institutes of the Church in Idaho and Utah. During this time, he had obtained his Master’s and Ph.D. degree from BYU. He became the first Institute Director at the University of Calgary in 1963 then moved to Medicine Hat in 1968 where he served as vice-president of Medicine Hat College until his retirement in 1987. While there also served as bishop. He was called by Elder Packer as Taber Stake patriarch at the age of forty-nine. Mel and Wilma’s family had over the years grown to seven children.
Mel and Wilma were called on several missions (six) for the Church in their retirement years in New Zealand, where Melvin was president, as well as in Rarotonga, Australia, Hawaii, and Aitutaki. He spent his life teaching.
His service was not limited to teaching. He also wrote a biography of E.J. Wood and a History of the Church in Canada. He served a three-year term as alderman in Medicine Hat and as Mayor of Cardston starting 1998. His interests were many. Besides the time he spent with his family and service in the church he was often engaged in construction projects and travel.
Melvin’s health was good until near the end. His life was full and he was serene and positive until the end.
Note: Any wishing to provide flowers are invited to make a contribution to the Perpetual Education Fund in their place.
The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 4th at 4:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Temple Street Chapel, 355 3rd St. W., Cardston.
Friends may meet the Family on Saturday from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. prior to the service.
Interment to follow in the Cardston Cemetery.
To Send the Family a Condolence please Click Here.
Melvin was born in Cardston in 1928 and attended Cardston High School where he was active in sports, especially basketball. His attention then turned to service in the Church. He was called on a mission and served almost three years, mainly in New Zealand and the Cook Islands where he learned to speak the Maori language fluently. Upon his return he attended the University of Alberta where he obtained a B.Ed. degree. He and Wilma Hansen were married in the Alberta Temple December 26, 1951, then honeymooned in Waterton.
Melvin had teaching as an avocation and taught for the seminaries and institutes of the Church in Idaho and Utah. During this time, he had obtained his Master’s and Ph.D. degree from BYU. He became the first Institute Director at the University of Calgary in 1963 then moved to Medicine Hat in 1968 where he served as vice-president of Medicine Hat College until his retirement in 1987. While there also served as bishop. He was called by Elder Packer as Taber Stake patriarch at the age of forty-nine. Mel and Wilma’s family had over the years grown to seven children.
Mel and Wilma were called on several missions (six) for the Church in their retirement years in New Zealand, where Melvin was president, as well as in Rarotonga, Australia, Hawaii, and Aitutaki. He spent his life teaching.
His service was not limited to teaching. He also wrote a biography of E.J. Wood and a History of the Church in Canada. He served a three-year term as alderman in Medicine Hat and as Mayor of Cardston starting 1998. His interests were many. Besides the time he spent with his family and service in the church he was often engaged in construction projects and travel.
Melvin’s health was good until near the end. His life was full and he was serene and positive until the end.
Note: Any wishing to provide flowers are invited to make a contribution to the Perpetual Education Fund in their place.
The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 4th at 4:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Temple Street Chapel, 355 3rd St. W., Cardston.
Friends may meet the Family on Saturday from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. prior to the service.
Interment to follow in the Cardston Cemetery.
To Send the Family a Condolence please Click Here.