Leland "Lee" Durrant Matthews

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, Oh, What a Beautiful Day, I’ve got a Beautiful Feeling, Everything’s Going My Way – Lee Matthews was the perfect Curly as he sang those words from “Oklahoma.” His golden baritone voice, his engaging personality and his smile lit up the room.

Lee was born on September 19, 1938, to Douglas David and Vera Durrant Matthews in Murray, Utah. His breach birth was not easy and he liked to say, “I came out landing on my feet.”

When he was two years old, the family moved to a home on 6400 South in Murray, Utah where Lee’s youth was glorious as he had acreage to roam all day without a care in the world. There were many stories Lee liked to tell about those days and he indeed had many. Here’s hoping his children, grandchildren and those that come after him enjoy remembering those stories and tell them often.

Union Jr. High and Jordan High School also were a favorite time in Lee’s life when it was discovered Lee’s amazing baritone voice and he was asked to perform, especially in the performance of “The Messiah,” where he had the lead baritone part.

Lee worked at Kennecott Copper, Hercules, Inc. Production of Minuteman, Poseidon Missile. After managing the paint department of J.C. Penney and managing the Dutch Boy paint store for many years, Lee opened his own paint and decorating store, “Lee’s Paint Pot,” in Sugarhouse. After a serious car accident, Lee retired and spent time in his beloved home in Kayenta, Ivins, Utah.

He had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and expressed he was looking forward to being reunited with his loved ones.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Karen Gray Matthews, his children, Leland Scott Matthews, Lori Matthews Fox (Roni), Michelle Matthews Bullock (Ron), Megan Matthews Allen (Sam), Kathy Clement Longden, thirteen grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. Those who have preceded him in death are his parents, his brother, Douglas David Matthews, Jr., his son, Brad Longden, and his grandson, Nicholas Matthews Fox.

Services will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Wasatch 4th Ward, 2215 East Roosevelt Ave., Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Burial will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary and Crematory YouTube Channel and on this obituary page. See YouTube video below.