Lee Simmons Thacker

Lee Simmons Thacker

In the early hours of Saturday, October 31, 2026, Lee Simmons Thacker passed away in Herriman, Utah, surrounded by his loved ones, at the age of 91. Above all else Lee was a devoted family man. Lee was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a member of the Pioneer 14th Ward.

Lee was born on March 14, 1935, in Heber, Utah, to Irwin and Lorna Thacker. He grew up in Heber with his five siblings, Irwin Jr., Farrell, Merleen, Joleen, and Morris. He spent his childhood and youth working on his uncle’s small farm. Working on the farm taught him the value of hard work and the importance of family. Those lessons stayed with him throughout his life.

Family was always important to Lee, and he made sure it remained an important part of his children’s lives as well. He stayed close to his brothers and sisters throughout his adult life. Sundays were often spent loading the family into the station wagon or Suburban and heading out for a drive. More often than not, those drives ended at one of his siblings’ homes. Because of this, his children grew up knowing their aunts, uncles, and cousins and developed relationships with their extended family that they might not otherwise have had. Those visits and family connections became an important part of their childhood, and are something they will always be grateful for.

Lee graduated from Wasatch High School in 1954. During his senior year, he served as assistant to the editor on the yearbook staff. He also lettered in tennis and played basketball.

Following high school, Lee served a full-time, two-and-a-half-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oslo, Norway. It was a mission that would change the course of his life in more ways than one. While serving in Norway, he began corresponding with Kari Johansen, who had grown up in Norway before immigrating to the United States several years earlier. Lee had obtained her address from a missionary companion and began writing to her while serving his mission. What started as correspondence between two young people would eventually become a marriage and a lifetime together.

At the conclusion of his mission, Lee had the opportunity to spend several months touring Europe. On his way home, he stopped in Salt Lake City to meet Kari in person for the first time. Kari accompanied him to Heber City, where Lee had arranged a surprise homecoming for his parents and family. And what a surprise it was! Lee had not only returned home from his mission, but he had brought home a beautiful Norwegian girl!

Lee and Kari were married on November 12, 1959, in the Salt Lake City Temple, where they were sealed for time and all eternity. Shortly after their marriage, Lee was drafted into the United States Army and eventually stationed in Germany. Kari later joined him there, and it was in Frankfurt, Germany, that they welcomed their first child, Anne Lise. Lee was honorably discharged from the Army in 1965. Together, Lee and Kari built a home and raised six children.

Lee’s life was anchored by his devotion to Jesus Christ and his testimony of the restored gospel. Among his most cherished experiences was his mission to Norway, where he and his companion taught and baptized Adolf and Lydia. That single seed grew into a radiant family legacy: Adolf and Lydia served as faithful leaders, and all five of their children served missions, married in the gospel, and raised faithful families of their own. Through one mission, generations were blessed—a powerful testament to the far-reaching impact of a single decision to serve.

Lee was a good example of rising up when called to serve, whether it was for his family, his Church, or his country. His family is grateful for his pure example of faithfulness and service.

Lee built his career as a millwright at Kennecott Utah Copper, where he worked for many years before retiring in the 1990s. He was a hardworking man who had learned the value of a good day’s work growing up on the family farm in Heber. Retirement, however, didn’t mean he was ready to put his tools away. He had also learned the trade of painting from his father-in-law and continued taking on painting jobs well into his retirement. Eventually, even he had to admit that the work was becoming a little more difficult, joking that it was getting harder and harder to haul those heavy buckets of paint up the stairs.

Lee was a man of few words, but a giant of an example when it came to quietly serving those around him. He rarely needed recognition or praise for the things he did. He simply saw a need and took care of it. He painted for family and friends, helped neighbors with yard work, and was always willing to lend a hand. For many years, he served as the facility manager for the Cottonwood Stake Center, faithfully cleaning and maintaining the grounds and outside facilities. If something needed fixing, Lee was the person to call. He was the kind of man who could figure just about anything out.

As a father, Lee led by example. He was firm but kind and had a heart of gold. He taught his children the value of hard work, honesty, responsibility, and service, not so much through words, but through the way he lived his life. He loved taking his children to the ski resorts, where he taught them to snow ski, and taking the family camping. Some of their favorite family memories were made at Moon Lake and on trips traveling along the California coastline. Those adventures created memories and traditions that would stay with them throughout their lives.

Lee loved the outdoors, especially fishing and camping. He found great joy in being out on the water, and one of his favorite things was taking his grandchildren for rides on his boat. It was another way he shared the things he loved with the people he loved.

Lee also devoted many years to the Boy Scouts of America. He spent countless hours alongside his two sons serving with the youth, taking them on outings, camping trips, and other adventures. The boys he worked with knew he cared about them, and they respected him. His influence extended beyond his own family as he quietly helped teach another generation the values of hard work, responsibility, and service.

Although Lee was a man of few words, he had a wonderful sense of humor. He enjoyed a good laugh, loved watching Looney Tunes, and was known for his clever one-liners that could catch you off guard and leave you giggling long afterward. He loved to tease those around him, but never in a way that was unkind or at someone else’s expense. His humor was part of what made him so enjoyable to be around.

There were also plenty of funny moments that became family stories. When Lee was young, he had all of his upper teeth removed and wore dentures. On one or two occasions, an unexpected sneeze sent those dentures flying, providing a memory the family would never forget. Even in his later years, when he took his teeth out, he resembled the little old man from the Pixar short films trying to win his teeth back in a game of chess. It was just another one of those things that made Dad uniquely Dad.

Lee’s influence was perhaps best seen in the lives of those closest to him. He and Kari raised their children in the Church, teaching gospel principles and setting an example of faith, kindness, and service. His children grew into adults who respected their father and wanted to follow his example in raising their own families. Dad was someone worth following.

Lee leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured by the work he accomplished or the things he built and repaired. It is found in the family he loved, the generations he influenced, the people he served, and the quiet example he set throughout his life. He taught those around him that love is often best expressed through service, kindness, and simply being there when someone needs you. His family will forever be grateful for the life, truth, and light he gave them.

Lee is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kari; his parents, Irwin and Lorna Thacker; his brothers, Irwin Jr. Thacker and Farrell Thacker; his sister-in-law, Karen Thacker; and his brother-in-law, Richard Skillicorn.

He is survived by his six children: Anne Lise Caldwell (Gary), Steven Thacker (Dodi), Roy Thacker (Amber), MaryAnn Feuz (Bridger), Heidi Winegar (Josh), and Amy Steen (Scott); 18 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Merleen Skillicorn and Joleen Gines (Gary); his brother, Morris Thacker (Neva); and his sister-in-law’s Nadine Thacker and Paula Thacker.

The family would also like to recognize his extended family, including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and special close friends. There are too many to mention individually, but please know that Lee loved you all dearly.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the medical team at Huntsman at Home. Their exceptional care, expertise, and compassion made a tremendous difference to our family. They helped us feel supported throughout this time and, most importantly, gave us confidence that Dad was receiving the care he needed. We are deeply grateful for the kindness and comfort they provided.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pioneer 14th Ward Chapel, 6719 W. Valynn Drive, Herriman UT, 84096. A viewing will be held Friday, November 13, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 3688 W. 12600 S., Riverton, Utah. An additional viewing will be held Saturday, November 14, at the Pioneer 14th Ward Chapel, prior to the funeral services, from 10:00–10:45 a.m.

Funeral services will be streamed for those unable to attend in person or wishing to attend virtually. To view the streamed services, you may click the “Watch Services” link above to connect to the stream.