Salt Lake City, Utah - Krege Bowen Christensen peacefully returned to his Father in Heaven on August 3rd after a battle with heart-related complications. His heart was simply too magnificent to permit him to remain here any longer.
He lived his life true to himself, his family, and his Savior. His preeminent legacy is expressing his unconditional love and support to each of his posterity at every interaction. His intelligence astounded us, sharing wisdom from hundreds of books including Ben Hur, his favorite.
Krege is survived by his best friend, eternal companion, and earthly wife of fifty-three years, Judy Brown Christensen, and by their six children, Daniel (Kelly) Christensen, Adam (Cindy) Christensen, Mindy (Eddie) Simon, Tami (Chris) Whisenant, Megan (Clint) Christensen, and Marin (Dan) Bywater and his sister Karen "Cris" Coffey. They have 31 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Dad was not a demanding father, but expected his children to work hard and be educated. Dad taught us to do our best and be honorable, but never take ourselves too seriously.
Dad was born on October 28, 1942, in Provo, Utah, to A. Sherman and Lois Bowen Christensen. Most of his childhood was spent in Provo. At the age of 12 his father was appointed a US Federal District Judge, and they moved to Harvard Avenue in Salt Lake City. He graduated from East High School in 1960 then attended the University of Utah on a Track and Field scholarship. Dad quickly became one of the premier javelin throwers in the country, shattering several records including the U of U record (which he still holds after fifty years) and earning a preliminary invitation to the 1964 Olympics. Dad turned down the Olympic dream to focus on something of much greater value to him ‚ his beautiful wife and starting a family.
Dad always said that Mom was the best thing to ever happen to him. We cannot remember a time when he wasn't commenting on one of her wonderful qualities. Dad was an avid Sigma Chi, and mom a Chi Omega, and through fraternity and sorority activities at the U of U their love flourished. We are the beneficiaries of that love. The number 13 was their lucky number, having their first date on Friday the 13th, engaged on a Friday the 13th, and ultimately married on February 13, 1964.
Dad went on to earn his Accounting degree, CPA and MBA from the U of U, and then a JD from George Washington University in Washington DC. He attended night law school, working by day at the US Securities and Exchange Commission to provide for his growing family. He graduated with honors in 1973.
Dad then began his legal career in Salt Lake City working at Parsons Behle and Latimer. As a successful transactional attorney, he handled complex and significant corporate matters such as helping move the Utah Jazz from New Orleans and serving in senior leadership roles for over fifteen years of the Imperial Hawaii Vacation Club.
Most importantly, Dad gave his heart in service to family, friends and church. He served as a member of the LDS Young Men's General Board from 1980-1983, as Branch President of the University of Utah Medical Center Branch from 1999-2002, as Stake YM President, member of his ward Bishopric and other leadership callings. Dad enjoyed being the President of the Timpanogos Club and was Treasurer of the Jaycees. He also gave countless hours of pro bono work to the underserved.
Dad enjoyed genealogy, and was proud of his Viking heritage, serving in various positions on the Icelandic Association of Utah. He was fascinated by technology, bringing home the latest electronic gadgets and watches, and was an early adopter of the personal computer, including a "new laptop" that took both arms to carry.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Kent, and three grandchildren. We know that they are now joyfully together. We express thanks to his many caregivers at St. Mark's Hospital who skillfully extended his life for precious years beyond our expectations. Every time Dad ended a phone call or letter, he would say, "Peace and Good Wishes". We feel his peace and love now.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 10th, 2017 at 12:00 pm at the Mt. Olympus Stake Center on 4176 Adonis Drive in Millcreek, UT. Friends may call on Wednesday, August 9th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East and 1300 South, and from 10:00 to 11:30 am prior to services at the Stake Center. Online condolences: www.larkincares.com
