On July 2nd, 2026, we will celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of my dad Thomas W. Lee at a Family Reunion. We are spending the evening at a campsite in Aspen Grove and telling stories and sharing memories about our dad and grandpa Tom Lee.
Thomas Wilford Lee 1926-2016 We always loved getting together for his birthday because first of all, we loved him, but it helped that the extended family could make time to visit Provo during the 4th of July. My dad, in his quirky humor, always referred to his birthday as July the 2th (tooth).
So, that's what we call it as we continue the celebration with a Family Reunion in his honor.
Things I remember most about my dad:
So, that's what we call it as we continue the celebration with a Family Reunion in his honor.
Things I remember most about my dad:
Tom and Carolyn Lee about 2006 Most of all he loved our mother. We knew it because he said it often, but he also showed his love in how he treated her. One time he caught my young son teasing his little sister. Dad took Michael aside and gave him a tongue lashing about how he should always treat women with respect. Michael straightened up after that.
My dad loved the mountains. In his early years (during the 1930s), his parents spent summers at the BYU Aspen Grove "campus." Grandpa Wilford Lee taught English during the summer school sessions. Dad told us that traveling up the un-improved winding roads to Aspen Grove in those days was treacherous. Once there, they were not in any hurry to travel down them again until fall. Dad and his brothers roamed all over the hills and trails. He always felt that Timpanogos was his mountain.
He enjoyed reading. My dad was a speed reader. He would go to the library weekly and pick up the box of Science Fiction or Adventure novels the librarians would set aside for him. It was normal for him to read 25-30 books a week. His favorite place to read was up in the canyon. I remember him loading up the station wagon with a bunch of us kids to go to Aspen Grove or Canyon Glen. This was his way of babysitting: He would spread out a blanket under a tree, lean against it with his pillow and his book, and turn the kids loose to roam. None of us got lost. We knew we had to come back when he gave his distinctive whistle. And we always did.
My dad loved the mountains. In his early years (during the 1930s), his parents spent summers at the BYU Aspen Grove "campus." Grandpa Wilford Lee taught English during the summer school sessions. Dad told us that traveling up the un-improved winding roads to Aspen Grove in those days was treacherous. Once there, they were not in any hurry to travel down them again until fall. Dad and his brothers roamed all over the hills and trails. He always felt that Timpanogos was his mountain.
He enjoyed reading. My dad was a speed reader. He would go to the library weekly and pick up the box of Science Fiction or Adventure novels the librarians would set aside for him. It was normal for him to read 25-30 books a week. His favorite place to read was up in the canyon. I remember him loading up the station wagon with a bunch of us kids to go to Aspen Grove or Canyon Glen. This was his way of babysitting: He would spread out a blanket under a tree, lean against it with his pillow and his book, and turn the kids loose to roam. None of us got lost. We knew we had to come back when he gave his distinctive whistle. And we always did.
Daddy Tom was a terrific storyteller. Some of his stories have become legend. One summer, he took the oldest grandkids and their dads up the canyon for a Camp Out. Each evening he told a story that he continued to make up for days. Finally, he wrote it down for the family to enjoy for future generations, but it was 18 pages of 12-point single-spaced font. Most of us found it too long and technical to read to our kids. Besides we all misplaced our copies.
In 2024, I wrote my version of his story in a children's picture book to honor my dad, Johnny in the Moon. (It's shorter and has pictures.)
In 2024, I wrote my version of his story in a children's picture book to honor my dad, Johnny in the Moon. (It's shorter and has pictures.)
Bonnie, Bill, Barbara, Ben, Betsy, and Bob He loved his family. My dad often said that he hated children. But none of us ever believed him. He always kept a stash of candy in his drawer by the bed and always allowed the kids to raid it while they climbed up on the bed to hear a story or watch sports with him. Grandpa Tom was a big softy.
Dad was a wonderful listener. We knew we could always go to Dad with our problems. We always felt that he gave good advice. But really, he just listened and asked the right questions so that we could figure out the solutions to our own problems ourselves. (That's how I passed Trigonometry in High School.) No wonder he was such a revered Bishop.
He loved God and his country. Dad always served diligently in his callings in the Church. He bore his testimony frequently. He and Mom were such wonderful examples of their faith. They also loved the United States of America. They were history buffs and loved having opportunities to take the family on cross country trips. They really couldn't pass any Historical Marker without stopping to read it!
Dad was a wonderful listener. We knew we could always go to Dad with our problems. We always felt that he gave good advice. But really, he just listened and asked the right questions so that we could figure out the solutions to our own problems ourselves. (That's how I passed Trigonometry in High School.) No wonder he was such a revered Bishop.
He loved God and his country. Dad always served diligently in his callings in the Church. He bore his testimony frequently. He and Mom were such wonderful examples of their faith. They also loved the United States of America. They were history buffs and loved having opportunities to take the family on cross country trips. They really couldn't pass any Historical Marker without stopping to read it!
I am so pleased that so many of their kids and grandkids and great-grandkids will be at the Descendants of Tom and Carolyn Lee Family Reunion. It is so important to pass on the stories of our loved ones!
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