It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Craig Vernon Lee, aged 77, on April 10, 2024, in Holladay, Utah. Craig was born to Charles Lee and Shirley Snyder on February 7, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married Linda Montgomery in Galena Illinois on November 2, 1974. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple in 1987. Craig was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and embraced life with a vigor that was as boundless as his intellect.
Craig's educational journey was as diverse as his career, starting from the humble beginnings as a delivery boy for Mrs. Backers Pastry Shop where he was famously fired, to earning his stripes as an esteemed academic and practitioner. A proud graduate of West High School class of '65, he furthered his education at the University of Utah chemistry department and later at Northwestern Dental School where he earned his DDS in 1976. His ongoing quest for knowledge took him to the University of Southern California and later the University of California Los Angeles, specializing in Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial Prosthetics. An accomplished researcher and pioneer, Craig placed the first dental implant in Utah and was an esteemed member of the American College of Prosthodontics and the Pacific Coast Society of Prosthodontists. His contributions to the fields of chemistry and prosthodontics are noteworthy and long-lasting. His career was marked by notable tenures as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah and UCLA, a frequent lecturer at Walter Reed and in private practice specializing in head and neck oncology where he made a monumental impact on his patients' lives.
He served with distinction in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel and serving in the 328 General Hospital during Desert Storm, where he received numerous honors and medals and was proud to serve his country.
Craig was a prolific collector of many things. Buying things made him happy, much to the consternation of his wife Linda, who had no idea where to put it all. No one really knew how much any of it really cost, but Craig would definitely tell you it was expensive and/or from the Ming dynasty… followed by how great of a deal he got it for. His penchant for collecting was matched only by his zest for life and the stories he would spin about each treasured item, each tale more elaborate than the last.
Craig's hobbies were a reflection of his eclectic and zealous nature – from collecting exotic cars and fine art, to traveling, antiquing, real estate investing, construction projects, hunting, boating, waterskiing and being an early adapter to extreme skiing. Craig's love for skiing was not just a personal passion but a legacy he passed down to his children. He enjoyed sports and left an indelible mark on University of Utah athletics as a fervent fan and donor. Craig was a supporter of the arts and a passionate lover of classical music and Broadway. He was a decades-long season ticket holder at Abravanel Hall and Eccles Theater, and he could often be found humming the tunes of the latest musicals or discussing the finer points of a symphony.
As his health declined and he became less active, he loved to sit back and share stories and watch his family have a good time playing tennis, games, roughhousing and
enjoying time spent together in the backyard - especially his grandchildren who he loved very much. Craig would often show that love with a big hug or by sneaking them a treat when no one was watching.
Craig's legacy is cherished by his loving mother, Shirley Snyder Pratt; wife Linda Montgomery Lee; children, Jennifer Lee Fargo (Aaron Fargo), Christopher Lee (Marchelle Bement Div.), Matthew Lee, and Jonathan Lee (Jessica Anderson Lee); grandchildren, Brodrick, Greyson, Jack, Ledger, Lily, and Monroe; and his siblings, Scott (Lauri) Lee, Robin (Suzy) Lee, and Richard (Tracy (decd.)) Lee. He is predeceased by his father, Charles Lee.
His life was a testament to his belief in living fully and learning continuously. Craig's unique and one-of-a-kind nonconformist approach to life, his love for travel and planning the next family trip, his ability to recall random facts and inclination for embellishing stories will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. Please join us in celebrating Craig’s life.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 20th at 11:00 at the Cottonwood 14th Ward, 2080 East 5165 South in Holladay, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday, April 19th from 6:00 to 8:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 at the same location. Interment will be held at Memorial Holladay Park, 4900 South Memory Lane in Holladay, Utah.
To view Craig's service online follow the link below:
https://zoom.us/j/97066510762?pwd=ZEVNRFJNYlJwaWFQeW1uckNWSWhSdz09
Meeting ID: 970 6651 0762
Passcode: Pioneer47
