Chris J. Lundquist

Chris Lundquist

January 6, 1959 – September 30, 2026

Chris Jay Lundquist—lover of all things classic (Classic Rock, Classic Muscle Cars, and his Classic Wife) and the guy most likely to enjoy the trail no matter how steep or muddy—wrapped up his last great trek on September 30, 2026, at the age of 67. He laughed at himself more than anyone, never gave up, and woke up every morning thinking, “This day is a bonus!” Knowing Chris, he’s already scouting the best routes on the other side.

Chris was born January 6, 1959, in Salt Lake City to Farrell and Donna Lundquist, and grew up in Murray and Cottonwood. At Cottonwood High School he played basketball and kept the kind of grades that earned him an academic scholarship. He also earned his heart’s desire: a Camaro. He had saved and scraped for two hard years, and the rest came from an insurance check after a lawn mower took two of his toes. (Only Chris could turn losing two toes into a muscle car.) He cranked up hard rock on the way to games to get psyched up, and on one of his last nights before his mission, he and his buddies cruised up to Heber under a starry sky with Boston on the stereo.

In August 1978, Chris entered the Language Training Mission in Provo to prepare for his mission to Uruguay. His Spanish teacher, Sister Mirna Saleb, quickly realized his district of ten elders was a little too “wild and crazy,” and she was reassigned. He married her anyway. In Uruguay, Chris served in Montevideo, Paso de los Toros, San Fernando, and Salto, and came to love the people and the language for the rest of his life.

After both of their missions, Mirna showed up on his birthday with a cake. (Her sister made it, but he forgave her.) Chris and Mirna were married on October 12, 1981, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they built a home full of love, laughter, and many road trips, raising three children: Eric, Jessica, and Jason. Later, he and Mirna kept up a friendly rivalry over who would win Grandparent of the Year.

Chris earned his accounting degree from the University of Utah and went on to a long and successful career at Utah Power & Light (PacifiCorp), Novell, and the Temple Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, collecting multiple awards and professional certifications along the way, including passing the CMA exam in 2016. When he retired in 2024, he happily traded spreadsheets for switchbacks.

Being outdoors, hiking, and 4-wheeling with family and friends were his true passions. From his first climb up Mt. Olympus as an eighth grader to Kings Peak and the Pfeifferhorn, if there was a trail, a summit, or a rocky road most people would think twice about, Chris was already there in his safari hat, grinning. Many of the family’s best memories were made on trails, on dusty backroads, and at the top of whatever mountain he’d talked everyone into climbing.

Chris never met a challenge he wouldn’t take on. He coached youth sports, taught and tutored students, served as a Scout leader, and served faithfully in the bishopric. In retirement, he and Mirna served two missions together.

In 2019, Chris was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. For nearly seven years he took it on the way he took on a steep climb: chemo, a stem cell transplant, CAR-T therapy, and a clinical trial, all with faith, humor, and stubborn optimism. Along the way he learned to play the guitar (classic rock only, of course) and wrote down his life stories for his grandkids. His advice: “Sometimes it is ok to quit, but never give up.”

Chris is survived by his wife, Mirna; his mother, Donna; his children, Eric, Jessica (Colby), and Jason (Bre); five grandchildren; and four siblings. He was preceded in death by his father, Farrell.

We’ll miss his energy, his laugh, and his unshakable belief that the long way around was always the better way. In his own words: “Follow Jesus and his example. Keep his commandments. Love others.” We’ll see you again at the top.