Lee Christensen
1949 – 2023
Lee Leonard Christensen passed away peacefully at his home in Salina, Utah, surrounded by his family on June 22, 2023. He and his identical twin brother Lyn were born on December 16,1949 to Leonard and Carol Dean Christensen. Lee was born and raised in Salina, and that was the only place he ever wanted to be. From a young age, he loved to hunt and was hardly ever seen without a gun in his hand and a dog by his side. This continued throughout his life, as he was known for always taking his golden retriever Alex wherever he went. Whether it be the front seat of the jeep, hunting at the farm, swimming at the pool, or even going down the slide at recess. During his high school years, he was the senior class president and was very athletic. He was a 4-year letter in baseball, basketball, and track. He and Lyn were also known for pulling several pranks. As identical twins, it was easy to switch seats in class, switch jerseys in ball games, or even go on each other’s dates.
After high school, Lee attended SUU in Cedar City, Utah. This is where he met his future wife Judy Renae Cloward on a blind date, after she performed at a ballgame as a Thunderette. Lee and Judy were married September 12, 1970 in the Manti LDS Temple. Judy preceded him in death December 6, 2015.
After his freshman year in college, Lee joined the Utah Army National Guard and was especially proud to be a member of the Battery A 2 BN 222 Field Artillery and became Supply Sergeant. He was honored to be given the Soldier of the Year Award and inducted into the Utah National Guard Hall of Fame. After 22 years, 2 months, and 14 days he was proud to retire.
Over the years, Lee has had many jobs and was very involved in the community. Lee managed the Salina City Swimming Pool for 30 plus years, and he loved having his daughters grow up to be lifeguards at the pool with him. He beamed with pride when his daughter Bree recently followed in his footsteps and became the new manager of the pool, just like her Dad.
Mr. C is how he was known at Salina Elementary School, where he taught 4th grade for 30 years, and if you asked him if he missed it after he retired, his reply was always, “recess was fun”.
Lee was born into farming and loved riding horses and raising cattle on the farm. He was a commander and high point member for the Sevier County Search and Rescue, and also served for 13 years with Sevier County Ambulance as an EMT.
Lee had many hobbies and could never sit still for very long. Between all of his jobs, he found a love for making custom knives and sold them all over the world.
His absolute pride and joy was not just his four daughters, but also his grandkids and great grandkids. He loved taking them for treat rides in Papa’s camouflage jeep, teaching them to hunt, spending time with them at the cabin in Acord’s Lake, and giving them all their first Daisy Red Ryder BB gun for their first birthday.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all that cared for him. The staff at At Home Health and Hospice, especially Heather Trapp, Kristen Gurney, Boe Brown, and Vikki Gurney. Also, all of the nurses and staff at Sandstone Rehab in Richfield.
He is survived by his brother: Lyn and Carlene Christensen (Salina), daughters: Kami Christensen (Salina), Penny and Travis Honeycutt (Redmond), Bree and Jeff Nielsen (Salina), and Brandi Christensen (Salina). grandchildren: BrynLee and Andrew Pickering (Springville) Maddie and Tyler Farnsworth (Milburn), Branson and Kalista Honeycutt (Redmond) Hagen Thurston (Salina), Landrey and Bailey Jensen (Gunnison), Chanley Jensen, Kynley Jensen, Jayda, Jenna, Brooklyn Nielsen (Salina), great-grandchildren Ryder and Ridge Jensen, Brooks and Miles Pickering, and soon to be baby Honeycutt, along with his nephews, Lance, Shawn, Nate, Jed, and Sky; cousins: Rocky and Shonnie, dear sweet friend: Jeannie Zeile; and so many good friends.
Lee is preceded in death by his wife, Judy Cloward Christensen, his parents, Leonard and Carol Dean Christensen and brother Dean Christensen.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in the Salina LDS Stake Center, 98 West 400 North in Salina, where friends may call for viewing Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Thursday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 prior to the services.
Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Lee’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.
Burial with military honors accorded by the Salina American Legion Post #36 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Salina Eastside Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.
Online guest book at: www.springerturner.com
