Richard Grant Lees

Richard Grant Lees, 54, passed away on October 11, 2025 in Midvale, Utah. He was born on July 31, 1971, in Murray, Utah, to Grant William Lees and Linda Jensen Lees. He lived his life at warp speed, experiencing any and all new adventures he could find. All along the way he collected friends and acquaintances. He insisted each of them were now part of “his family.” Richard grew up in the Sandy, Utah area. He attended Peruvian Park Elementary, Mount Jordan and Albion Junior High Schools and Hillcrest High School. He graduated from Valley High. Growing up he enjoyed being a Boy Scout of America, and playing little league baseball and soccer. He also played hockey during his high school years. Richard loved his pets. He raised pigeons, rabbits and family dogs. He was a member of the 4-H club that raised seeing eye dogs for the seeing impaired. To say Richard loved fishing is an understatement. His father, from a very young age, introduced and taught him about the sport. Some of his happiest moments were spent on a riverbank, with the sun in his eyes, the wind at his back and a fly rod in his hands. Richard joined the United States Marine Corps in June 1992. He was deployed for active overseas duty on two occasions. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal letter of commendation and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1997. Richard continued his connection with the military by being involved with Veterans of Salt Lake City. His career was in insurance and automotive sales. Richard married Shanon Van Nerynen on November 9, 1996 in Anaheim, California. They had four children, Miranda, Kara, Jackson and Jaken. They later divorced. He married Emily Stayner Tani on December 30, 2024 in Taylorsville, Utah. He welcomed four more children into his family; Jack, Audrey, Katharine and Madilyn Tani. Richard is survived by his parents, Grant W. Lees, and Linda R. Lees, Draper, Utah. Sister, Wendy Johnson (Shane Johnson) South Jordan, Utah; brother, Robert Lees (Brittany Lees) Cedar Hills, Utah; children, Miranda Whitney (Logan Whitney) Hanover, Indiana, Granddaughter, Annalee Whitney, Hanover, Indiana . Kara Lees, Louisville Kentucky, Jackson Lees, Salt Lake City, Utah and Jaken Lees, Louisville Kentucky. He is also survived by his Wife Emily Lees, Taylorsville, Utah, Jack Tani, Audrey Tani, Katie Tani, and Madilyn Tani, all of Taylorsville Utah. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Richard is preceded in death by his grandparents, Virgil and Nelda Jensen, Ammon, Idaho and William Richard Lees and Lillian Burns Lees, Hawthorne, New Jersey, as well as beloved Aunts and Uncles. A viewing will be held from 6-8 P.M. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Serenity Funeral Home, Bluffdale, Utah 84065. (13863 S. 2700 W. Bluffdale) A viewing will also be held on Wednesday October 22, 2025 from 10-11:30 A.M. preceding the Celebration of Life at 12:00 P.M. This will be held at Utah Veterans Memorial Park Chapel, 17111 South 1700 West, Bluffdale Utah. Please share memories and condolences at www.serenityfhs.com The family wishes to thank everyone for their love, support and caring for their Son, Brother, Dad and Husband. Semper Fi!

Richard Grant Lees

July 31, 1971 - October 11, 2025