Don Jeffrey Meldrum

Don Jeffrey Meldrum (Jeff) was born in Salt Lake City, UT to Don and Marilyn (Collings) Meldrum on May 24, 1958. He was the eldest of three children.

As a small child, Jeff’s family lived in Eugene, OR, and Spokane, WA. In the second grade, he fell in love with science while collecting insects with his homemade butterfly net. He recounted stories of playing in the woods, riding bikes and hunting snakes and other critters with his brother which he took home much to the chagrin of his mother. He borrowed books about animals from the library, and his twenty-four-volume animal encyclopedia set later became a cherished resource for his own children, who pored over its pages just as he had. Throughout his youth, he kept a menagerie of pets, from dogs, cats, a ground squirrel and a praying mantis that perched on his glasses to, briefly, a skunk. For a time, he dreamed of joining the forest service or becoming a veterinarian before discovering his calling in academia.

Jeff’s artistic gifts were also evident from an early age. In elementary school, he sketched imaginative creatures, including a humanoid reptile so striking that one drawing was stolen by a classmate, prompting his teacher to remark, “That’s what you get for being such a good artist.” He could have pursued a career in the fine arts but feared that commercializing his talent would sap the joy from it. Instead, he kept art woven into his life, creating piñatas for birthdays, whittling faces into walking sticks, sculpting sand into pyramids and sphinxes at the beach and doodling dinosaurs to keep his kids well-behaved at church. He employed those talents creating costumes for Halloween or scouting events and Christmas plays.

Jeff’s father worked for Albertson’s which meant the occasional relocation. As a teen, the family lived in Boise where Jeff attended Capitol high school. There he enjoyed participating in football, gymnastics and singing in a quartet and the high school glee club. He took a job in carpentry with a family member, studied photography, learned the guitar and became certified in SCUBA. He was part of a group of friends that called themselves the Musketeers and he often told stories of their shenanigans. At seventeen, he wrote his first paper on Bigfoot, a fascination that began after viewing the original “Planet of the Apes” movie and would eventually grow into one of the defining pursuits of his life.

Following high school, Jeff attended Brigham Young University (Provo). He interrupted his studies to serve a two year mission in Düsseldorf, Germany for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. His faith was a steady compass, grounding his personal and professional life. After his mission, he traveled to Scotland to pursue genealogical research, deepening his connection to his heritage and cultivating a lifelong respect for ancestry and tradition.

Jeff returned to BYU and earned a BS and subsequently a MS – both in Zoology. It was there that he met and married Teresa Rae Little. Jeff and Terri welcomed 6 boys into their family over the years. Colin (Romain), Sean, Devin (Ashlee), Trevor (Maddie), Kayd and Brendon (Alyssa). He referred to his boys as the “Meldrum Men” and was extremely proud of them all. Jeff continued his education at State University of New York, Stoneybrook where he earned his PhD. in Anatomical Sciences.

Jeff and Terri were active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served in many callings. He was Scoutmaster for many years and loved the opportunity to spend time with his own sons where he taught outdoor skills in addition to preparedness, integrity and reverence for nature. Camping was not just for scouting but central to family life. His sons have fond memories of him dealing with raccoons, a snake, and a moose invading their campsites on different occasions.

After earning his PhD, Jeff worked as a visiting assistant professor at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC 1989-1991. Following his time at Duke, Jeff was an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University Medical School 1991-1993. He concluded that big city life and a long commute were not in the best interest of his family which led to a move to Pocatello, ID where he taught as an Assistant Professor and then as a Full Professor at Idaho State University from 1993 until 2025.

Jeff and Terri later divorced. Life as a bachelor was not Jeff’s cup of tea and he began what he called “the next chapter” of his life.

He met and married Lauren Vaughan Stewart (Laurie) in January of 2009 and acquired three more children in the process – namely – Sarah (Jason), Scott and Kyle. Jeff shepherded Laurie through her new experience of having six teen boys in the house (an experience not for the faint of heart). Interestingly enough, when Laurie met Jeff, she had no knowledge of his celebrity in the Bigfoot Community. He felt the need to divulge this tidbit on their first date and it did not deter her. It was a foray into a legacy which Laurie never saw coming. They often encountered enthusiasts when out and about and she patiently stood by while Jeff took photos, listened to stories and otherwise entertained his fans. While Laurie embraced Jeff’s Bigfoot Legacy, Jeff accepted and grew to enjoy Laurie’s love for Shetland Sheepdogs and spectating dog shows. Throughout their marriage, they gave homes to as few as 2 and as many as 5 Shelties at a time.

Jeff was a doting husband to Laurie. They had an unusual division of labor at home. Jeff did all the grocery shopping and cooking while Laurie preferred to be the handywoman and gardener. They were both quite happy with that arrangement. Jeff continued to teach, author, pursue his interest in Bigfoot and engage in numerous expos, conferences, and fairs. He travelled throughout the United States, to Russia, China, and Argentina. More recently, Jeff and Laurie began to enjoy the life of empty nesters - traveling and cruising whenever they had the chance. Cancun was an absolute favorite winter destination.

Jeff’s legacy is one of curiosity, creativity, faith, and wonder. His absence will be felt deeply, but the lessons he taught in classrooms, on campouts, in conventions, and in quiet moments will continue to live on in all who knew him.

Jeff passed with his family at his side on September 9, 2025 after a brief battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, Lauren Vaughan Stewart, 9 children, parents – Don and Marilyn Meldrum, brother - Mike Meldrum (Michelle), sister - Molly Meldrum, and 6 grandchildren – Lynden, Wade, Selina, Ruby, Millie, and Georgia.

The family held a private celebration of life which was Jeff’s request.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of a donation through the Wilks website. His wife intends to plant one or more trees in Jeff’s memory at their home. Depending on the funds received, an appropriate way to honor Dr. Meldrum’s legacy will be chosen with the balance of the funds. The usage of those funds will be shared with the public.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Guestbook below.