Lee Ivan Perry

Lee Ivan Perry peacefully passed away on September 27, 2022 at the age of 81, after a 10 year battle with Leukemia (CLL) and a recent bout of pneumonia. His loving and supportive wife of 58 years, "Dori", was by his side. Lee had just finished getting dressed for the day.

Lee was born on January 17, 1941 to Yvonne Jones and Elden S. Perry in Provo, Utah. Lee married Doris Ann Crowley on August 28, 1964 in the Manti, Utah Temple.

Lee spent his first years in a one room "chicken coup" with electricity but without water. In 1945, his family moved into the basement of a home they were building on Canyon Road in Provo, where his parents would live until 2005. He attended Lincoln Jr High graduating from Seminary and Orem High School in May of 1959. Under the guidance of his mother, he spent years competing in 4H competitions, winning awards and receiving scholarship offers. He graduated from BYU in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology and worked as a Geologist until his unexpected retirement in 1993.

Lee served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Spanish American Mission from 1961-1963. Over the years, Lee served as a home teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Elders Quorum President, High Priest Group Teacher and Church Service Missionary. For several years, He and Doris oversaw the weekly cleaning of their church. They really enjoyed serving together with the members of their ward and stake.

From guiding rivers, to repairing shoes, digging for dinosaur bones, serving as a member of the Provo Police Reserve and as volunteer Juab County Sheriff, 30 plus years of service in the National Guard, surveying and mapping abandoned mines for the State of Utah Geological Survey, panning for gold on his mining claims, working in the gold mines of Nevada, consulting with private mining ventures, and working in the copper mines in Zambia, Africa...Lee was never at want for stories to share.

Lee learned many life lessons from his father from spending countless hours in the outdoors together. This connection between family and nature remained with him his entire life. He loved the beauties of the earth, wildlife, and flowers. His love of the outdoors extended from camping, hunting, and fishing in his younger years to "shooting" everything in front of his camera lens in his golden years.

In February of 1993, Lee experienced a frost bite accident to his feet, causing the loss of all his toes and partial heels. This event changed the course of Lee and Doris' lives forever. Even with his decreased mobility and leg pain, he always found ways to work and explore. He went back to school to become a certified gemologist, worked as traveling salesman for TRC Oil, eventually becoming a hotshot truck driver. Regardless, of his situation Lee always found a way, he never complained, and gave of himself to others in the best way he knew how.

His creative nature caused him to spend never ending hours reloading ammunition, writing stories, and documenting his experiences. Throughout his life he collected coins, pocket watches and rocks. Lee loved woodworking and creating logs signs for local businesses and friends. He modified his personal footwear to meet his unique needs. His passions were: reading, shooting, gardening, growing giant pumpkins and teaching others to do the same, creating vehicle tow straps and ingenious ways to hoist and move giant pumpkins. Most of all he loved scenic drives with his wife; he took pictures of "critters" and nature, sharing his photo albums with everyone he met. He always took the long way home!

He is survived by his wife; Doris, their children; Guy (Debbie) Perry, Denise (Dave) Williams, Nalene (Benjamin) Dunkley, ReNae (Jeremy) Archibald, 15 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild along with his siblings; Konda (Dave) Pinegar, Zeke (Lorraine) Perry, Nola (Toad) Peterson.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Elden and Yvonne Perry, sister; Jean Coombs, nephews; Chad and Daniel Coombs.

In Lieu of flowers, please take a scenic drive with a loved one to see the beauties all around, plant a seed and help it grow, or help a person in need.

Funeral services for Lee will be held Monday October 3, 2022 at 11:00am at the Maeser Stake Center. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:00am ~ 10:30am all at the church. Interment in the Rockpoint Cemetery under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.

Online Condolences may be shared at www.AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com

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