David Lee

David Lee, 86, of Idaho Falls, Idaho passed away November 3, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family of causes incident to age.

David was born June 1, 1938, in Oakley, Idaho, to Alfred Lee and Alta Louise Marcus Bates Lee. He attended Oakley Elementary, Burley Junior High, and Burley High School. As a youth he worked on local farms moving pipe. He also worked as a logger in Oregon where his sister Sarah and their parents were living at the time. He attended Ricks College and Idaho State University and earned his associates degree. During that time, he was a member of Alpha Delta Fraternity. He loved his country and served in the Idaho National Guard.

On December 17, 1959, he married Karlene Marcia Smith in the Logan, Utah Temple. Once married they moved to Pocatello, Idaho where he worked for Gateway Printers. They briefly moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he worked for Deseret Press before returning to Idaho and making their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho. David worked for a time at Dairyland Dairy as a milk man and loved skimming the cream off the top of the milk. He also worked as a shoe salesman at JCPenney. In 1966 he began his employment at the Idaho Nuclear Engineering Laboratory (INEL) for 35 years, as a pipe fitter. He retired in 2001.

David was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held numerous callings. He spent over 15 years as a Scoutmaster mentoring youth, including his two sons. He and Karlene served a full-time mission for the Church from 2004 – 2005 in the Nigeria, Enugu, mission as family history missionaries. Once home they served as temple workers in the Idaho Falls Temple for 7 years. He also volunteered as a reading tutor at Hawthorne Elementary school and as a docent at the Museum of Idaho for 17 years.

David had many hobbies. He was very creative and enjoyed woodworking, calligraphy, art, history, music, reading, the outdoors, and sports to name a few! He loved personalizing birthday and other cards for his family and friends. He was an avid reader and would read books while traveling to and from work on the bus. He would write book reports for many of the books he read. At home he would devour reading the newspaper. He loved to learn and encouraged his children to do the same.

David loved a good joke and always had one to share. He loved seeing people smile and laugh. He was a thoughtful and considerate person who was loving to his family and friends.

David is survived by his wife, Karlene Marcia Lee of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Lyndon David (Stephanie) Lee of Mesa, AZ; daughter, Laura Louise (Brad) Olsen of Lehi, UT; son, Lewis Willard Lee of Boise, ID; daughter, LuAnne Marcia (Greg) Hall of Corona, CA; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Sharon Lee Wooden and Sarah Louise Shelburne; and brothers, Albert Lee, Alfred Lee, and Francis Afton Lee.

A service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Parkview Ward, 2051 South Emerson, Idaho Falls, Idaho, with Bishop Rob Thompson officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Taylor Cemetery at a later date.

His family invites you to wear blue to his funeral services – representing his life long love of Brigham Young University and the BYU Cougars he enjoyed supporting, watching, and cheering for.

We want to thank his many nurses and caregivers the last few months of his life. We appreciate your professionalism and personal interest in his health and well-being. Thank you!

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.