Our husband, father and grandfather, Lee Eldon Snow, completed his mortal life on February 20, 2024. He was born on July 31, 1940, in St. George, Utah, the 11th and last child born to Harold Stafford and Lydia Hopkins Snow.
His father was called as president of the St. George, Utah temple two years before he was born. Lee developed a great love for the temple as he spent time there with his father and explored the entire building (things were a little different in those days). This love for the temple continued throughout his life. His family had a farm with animals. Lee milked many a cow and especially loved the fruits of it - cream and butter. He enjoyed riding pigs and hunting for the eggs the chickens left in the hay. It was on the farm that Lee learned to work hard, harvesting hay, collecting sugar beet seed and doing what was necessary to help provide food for their family. He was born in the midst of war and felt the effects of the Great Depression. These circumstances influenced Lee throughout his life, and he learned to make do or do without. He played the clarinet and little league baseball, enjoyed building things, working with his hands and playing with his older siblings.
Lee graduated from Dixie High School in 1958. He faithfully served in the Northern California Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended Brigham Young University (BYU), graduating with a degree in elementary education. It was at BYU where he met Marie Merrill from Thatcher, Arizona. She turned him down the first time he asked her out; eventually she agreed to a date and the whisperings of the spirit told her he was the man she was to marry. They especially loved dancing and attended every Arizona Stomp. Their life-long love of dancing brought joy to their family as they were quick to dance together whenever the opportunity arose. They were married on June 5, 1965, in the St. George temple.
Their first child, Jason, was born while they attended BYU. Following graduation Lee took a teaching job at Farnsworth Elementary School in what was then known as Hunter, Utah. Here Lee and Marie settled and raised their eight children. They lived, loved and served there, making many dear, lifelong friends. He spent the majority of his career teaching at Lake Ridge Elementary in Magna. They moved to South Jordan in 2020.
Lee regularly worked multiple jobs to support his large family. He was a hard worker and a jack of all trades. It seemed he could fix or build anything. He was resourceful and talented. He taught his children to work hard, encouraging them to work alongside him. There was no task he wasn’t willing to do. He honored and loved our mother and supported her desire to finish her bachelor degree and obtain a master degree in counseling. Our father will be remembered as a quiet, reserved and humble man with a delightful sense of humor. He loved his associations with his friends and neighbors and enjoyed meeting and talking with people.
Lee’s parents and ancestors left him a rich heritage of service and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Lee followed in their footsteps developing a strong testimony of the reality of Jesus Christ; he loved to share his testimony at family gatherings and his actions spoke even louder. He taught his posterity to put God first and let everything else fall into place. He demonstrated a special love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a baby whisperer and grandchild magnet. He loved them and they will continue to adore him. He left a legacy of service. Whether it was a church calling or serving his family, friends or neighbors, he would do anything for anyone and always put others before himself.
Lee was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 6 years old. He gracefully and courageously endured the daily requirements to take proper care of his body. He never complained about his situation. When someone inquired how he was he’d always answer positively: “I’m par for the course I’m on,” or “I’m in great shape for the shape I’m in.” Over the course of his life he saw many improvements and medical advancements in the care of diabetes. We attribute his long life to his faithful observance of the Word of Wisdom, his willingness to follow the counsel and direction of doctors, and the daily care of his mother and siblings in his youth and our angel mother the past 59 years. Marie was always mindful of him and was a true partner in his diabetic journey; she has been at his side through every challenge, especially during the last number of months when he needed constant care. Lee was so grateful for Marie and loved her dearly. In his last days when asked what a dream day would look like for him, he readily and tenderly answered, “marry Marie all over again.”
We’d also like to acknowledge his son Bruce and daughter Angie who lived with him and helped care for him in his advanced years. We appreciate the loving care he received from the Intermountain Hospice team, especially Amber and Jose.
Lee is survived by his wife Marie, children Jason (Irene), Sheri (Abel Thompson), Gordon (Michelle), Mark (Rachel), Michelle (Skip Foster), Bruce, Marilee (Michael Belnap) and Angie Milbourn, as well as 27 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Ellen Ence, Sheldon (Patricia) and Howard (Carol), as well as Marie’s siblings Marlene Farley, Mary Jeanne Tollefson (Ron), and Paul Merrill (Sunny).
An evening viewing for Lee will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hunter 1st Ward, 3665 South 6000 West, West Valley City, Utah 84128. A viewing prior to services will occur Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM, 3665 South 6000 West, West Valley City, Utah 84128. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM, 3665 South 6000 West, West Valley City, Utah 84128. An interment will follow the services, Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 12:45 PM at Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah.
In lieu of flowers consider making a donation to a Snow family friend who is quadriplegic (venmo to @Lapale_Strong).
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https://zoom.us/j/99193076912?pwd=cW56MHYrS0NiNlM2dC93V01NdVZwZz09 then “Enter”
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