Melvin Wayne Atkinson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wayne Atkinson at the age of 83, after a lengthy battle with cancer and a mercifully short decline. His loving wife, Jan, was by his side.

 Wayne was born in Malad, Idaho to Melvin Sweeten Atkinson and Mary Pauline Humpherys Atkinson. The Atkinsons moved to Provo, Utah, and bought the Provo Western Motel on south State Street when Wayne was 15. It was here that he had time and space to work on his first project car – a Mercury – and developed his lifelong fascination with anything with wheels.

 Wayne graduated from Provo High School and joined the U.S. Army Reserve before serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Southern California Mission. Afterward, he attended Brigham Young University where he met Anne Krey. They were married in the Los Angeles Temple in 1963 and moved to Orem, Utah, where they lived until they divorced. 

 Wayne always had a car or two (or ten) that he was working on, tirelessly dismantling and rebuilding engines, searching for perfection. As his family grew, he shifted his attention from weekly drag races to antique cars large enough to haul everyone and helped found the Utah Valley Old Car Club. The UVOCC grew quickly and their long and, necessarily, slow road trips throughout Utah became family vacations, providing lasting memories for his children and plenty of time to talk about cars. He also raced on the Bonneville Salt Flats, setting world records that remained unbroken for decades.

 In 1988, Wayne met Dana Anderson. After their marriage, they moved to Idaho and then served a church mission together in Prague in the Czech Republic. They relocated to Iowa and lived there until Dana sadly passed away in 2010.

 After her death, Wayne reconnected with an old friend who had also recently lost a spouse and discovered his best friend. He moved back to Utah to be closer to Jan Martingale and they were married in 2011. Jan embraced his love of cars, and they built many cars together, including a Volkswagen Beetle race car that Jan drove on the Bonneville Salt Flats to set a world land speed record. They served together in church callings, including a couples mission as camp hosts at Camp Nisqually in Washington.

 Wayne always had an entrepreneurial mind, and he and his father Mel opened the famous Melayne’s Printers on University Avenue in Provo, in the mid-1960s. Melayne’s was known for revolutionizing traditional wedding announcements by adding photos of the bride and groom. He always had some type of car-related side business but also worked as the manager of several auto-related businesses, and for the machine and engineering labs at Brigham Young University.

 Wayne was always active in his church and held many leadership positions over the years. He was also an active member of his community and would help anyone in need.

 Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Irene Gage, Nola (Robert) Taylor, and Shirley (John) Beagley, a brother, James, and this summer, by his oldest son Mark Atkinson. He is survived by his wife Jan Burgener Atkinson; his sister Ruth (Ron) Kendrick; his children Suzanne Atkinson, Christine (Troy) Parry, Deborah (Mike) South, Jeanne Atkinson, Robert Atkinson, Michael Atkinson, Chad (Elizabeth) Anderson, Tiffany (B.J.) McCarty, Gwen (Ed) Adams, Tracy (Tiffany Glover) White, Gaylene (Joe) Steinbach, and David (Shauna) White; his grandchildren Brittney (Marty Welshiemer) Atkinson, Garrett Atkinson, Mia Parry, Rebekah South, Calvin South, Isaac South, Cricket South, Mandelyn Fagg, Marley Fagg, Ryland Sloat, and Mark Atkinson; and many step-grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 The family would like to sincerely thank all the friends, neighbors, and caregivers who helped our dad in his last weeks. You made hard things easier, and we can’t thank you enough.

 Wayne was a big-hearted, kind, and generous person, and a man of great faith. He leaves behind an enormous group of friends and loved ones. We will miss him greatly but look forward to seeing him again.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, December 10th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Fairview 2nd Ward Chapel at 125 E 100 N, Fairview, Utah.

 Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 11th at the same building.

 Viewing: 9:30–10:30 am Service: 11:00 am–12:00 pm Interment: Fairview City Cemetery

 We would love to see your antique and project cars at the service!

In lieu of flowers, please make a generous donation to a charity of your choice.

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Recordings will be available for 60 days from date of service.