Mervin Adair

Mervin Warren Adair, a stalwart pillar of faith, mentor, and devoted family man, returned to his heavenly home surrounded by his family on May 27, 2026. Mervin died from cancer. Born on May 2, 1943, in Caliente, NV, to Eldon Merle and Norma Adair. He graduated from Lincoln County High School in Panaca, NV. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Sydney Australia Mission (1962-1964). He married Miriam Judd in the St George temple in 1966. He attended The College of Southern Utah where he served as the student body president from 1966-1967 and graduated with a business degree in 1967.

Mervin was a ceaseless learner and teacher, dedicating his life to the study and teaching of the scriptures and the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His career as a Seminary and Institute Teacher was not just a job, but a calling, a passion that led him from Cedar City, Utah to Mesa, Arizona and then to Australia where he pioneered the Seminary and Institute programs in the state of Victoria and Tasmania from 1970-1973. The family returned to Provo Utah where Mervin earned a master's degree in Personnel Management from Brigham Young University. After graduating, He moved his family to Columbia Missouri where he accepted the assignment as Area Coordinator for Church Education to set up the seminary home study program and was the director of the Institute from 1975-1984. In 1984 he chose to return with His family to Cedar City Utah to teach at the Institute at Southern Utah University. He retired in 2005. After retiring, he continued to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever and whenever he could.

Mervin's dedication to service extended beyond his profession, as he also served as a temple worker for 16 years in the St George Utah and Cedar City Utah temples. His love for his community was evident in his active participation in the Republican party in Cedar City, Utah, and his membership in the Sons of the Utah Pioneers. Throughout many summers, he also provided lawn care and sprinkler work, a testament to his industrious spirit and willingness to lend a hand and his way to teach his 8 sons to work.

Mervin is survived by his loving wife, Miriam, and their children: Darren (Christy) Adair, Sterling(deceased), Tory (Monica) Adair, Boyd (Colleen) Adair, Nari (Scott) Burton, Mitchell (Gaylene) Adair, Brandyn Adair, Clifford (Angela) Adair, and Taylor (Lauren) Adair, 36 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Dawn (Kenny - deceased) Lee, Sharon (Jim) Rice, and Lanny (Vicki) Adair. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eldon Merle and Norma Adair and his son, Sterling Adair. Mervin's legacy of faith, service, and love continues in the lives of his family and all who were blessed to know him.

We invite everyone to celebrate Mervin's life by sharing memories of him on his memorial page. Your stories, thoughts, and photos will serve as a comforting keepsake and a reminder of the love and light Mervin brought into our lives.

The family wishes to thank Ethan Bunker and Mission Hospice.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday June 10, 2026, at 11:00 in the LDS church building located at 1925 W. 320 S, Cedar City Utah. The viewing will be before the service from 9:00- 10:30 am. The service will be streamed live on the mortuary website cedarvalleyfunerals.com.