Eugene Antone Lee

Eugene Antone Lee, beloved father, grandfather, brother, son, neighbor, and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the night of May 6, 2021 at the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home in Ogden, Utah, with his family at his side.

He was born July 21, 1945, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the eighth of nine children of William and Silva Jensen Lee. He spent most of his childhood in Magna, Bacchus and Garfield and was a proud graduate of Cyprus High School.

Bud, as family and friends called him, joined the US Navy in 1965 and served for four years, spending time in Guam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. He later served in the Utah National Guard.

Bud married Zola Clark on February 21, 1970 and immediately became an attentive stepfather to her four children. A fifth child was added to the family four years later. Bud and Zola remained married for 44 years until she passed away in 2014.

He later graduated from Utah Technical College (now Salt Lake Community College). He retired in 2007 after working for 22 years as a civilian security guard at Dugway Proving Ground, Tooele Army Depot and Deseret Chemical Depot.

Bud was known for his intelligence, playfulness, generosity, and strong sense of humor. He was always willing to offer a helping hand, a piece of advice, a corny joke, or a funny story. He enjoyed reading, watching movies and television, doing crossword puzzles, woodworking projects, and collecting things. He had an adventurous streak and loved to try new things and go new places. He loved listening to classic Country and Rock music, and had a passionate interest in history, particularly from the Civil War and World War II.

Bud is survived by his sister Beverly Wilcox; his son Christopher Lee; his stepsons Gregory Jensen, Jeffrey Jensen, Rick Jensen; stepdaughter Tamara Wilson; and 11 grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Zola Lee; his parents William and Silva Lee; his brothers LaVar and Bruce; his sisters Carma, Shirley, Ethel, Rayma and Madeline (Madge); and grandson Cody Wilson.

A graveside service will be held at Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Road (1700 West) in Bluffdale, on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 1 p.m.

The family would like to express gratitude to the staffs of the VA Hospital, the University of Utah Hospital, McKay-Dee Hospital and the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home for their compassionate and understanding care for him in the final few weeks of his life.

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