Lester Watson

Lester John Watson

March 1, 1941 – September 30, 2026

Lester John Watson, age 85, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026, in South Jordan, Utah.

Born on March 1, 1941, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Glen John and Ivy Larsen Watson, Lester grew up in Salt Lake City alongside his four brothers and sister. After graduating from South High School in 1959, he honorably served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland from 1960 to 1962.

Following his mission, Lester married Linda Sandfar Tippetts, and together they welcomed their daughter, Joni Lin. Following their divorce, Lester met the love of his life, Sharon Ann Talley. They were wed in the Los Angeles Temple and shared over 57 beautiful years of marriage, raising three more children together: Leslie, Kelly, and Jared.

Lester dedicated his career to serving his country in the United States Air Force. A decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and multiple Air Medals for his bravery and service. He ultimately achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant while stationed at Norton Air Force Base, where he served as a loadmaster on C-141s. In addition to his primary duties in flight operations, he utilized his skills to program computers and served in many other vital capacities defending our nation. While serving, he also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Vocational Education from Southern Illinois University. Following his military retirement, Lester translated his passion for technology into a second career, teaching computer classes, programming, and building systems.

A lifelong, devoted member of his faith, Lester served the Lord in every calling he received. Over the years, he served as a ward clerk, a counselor in two bishoprics, a Sunday School teacher, the Young Men’s president, and a Scoutmaster. In his later years, he shared his talents as an employment specialist missionary and as the executive secretary for a BYU student ward.

An avid outdoorsman, Lester worked tirelessly to help young men develop survival skills and achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He passed his profound love for nature down to his children, teaching them to fish, steer a canoe, and live by the Scout Oath and Law. Family campfires were always a highlight, filled with Lester playing his guitar, singing, and reciting the poetry of Robert Service. Music was a constant joy in his life; he sang tenor in his ward choir and later played the string bass in the New Horizons orchestra.

Lester possessed a deep passion for experiencing the world, a love kindled during his global military service. In retirement, this passion truly thrived through his deep involvement with the GMC motorhome community. Lester proudly served as the President of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Utah GMC Motorhome Group. He and Sharon traveled the country extensively, often hitting the open road in caravans of up to 20 other GMC motorhomes, and gathering with around 300 coaches during massive GMC International Rallies. These cross-country adventures frequently doubled as genealogy missions, with Lester and Sharon “tromping through the tombstones” to trace family history. He cherished the time spent vacationing with siblings, children, and grandchildren.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Ivy; his brother, Gordon; and his sister, Hazel Palmer.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon; his brothers, Harley, Loran (Colleen), and Allen (Diana); his children, Joni Lin Montoya, Leslie Husted, Kelly Meilstrup, and Jared Watson; 15 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 10, 2026 at the Timpanogos Park Stake Center, 955 North 300 East, Orem, Utah. The family will receive friends at the Berg Mortuary of Orem, 500 N Main St., Friday, October 9, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and at the church Saturday, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will follow in the Timpanogos Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.bergmortuary.com.