Tony Lynn Christensen

Tony Lynn Christensen passed away Monday, September 18, 2017, at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, surrounded by his family, from a brief and sudden illness caused by a tiny mosquito that we hope soon after it bit him, was hit and smashed by a semi-truck.

Tony was born in Preston, Idaho, on May 23, 1949, to Keith Edward Christensen and Dorothy Carlson Christensen.  He was the youngest of four sons.  Tony would often share stories of all the mischief these four boys and their friends would get into and the fun they would have.  Times with his brothers were always filled with jokes, teasing, and laughter.  He grew up loving baseball, cars, and his mom.  He dusted the house everyday for her.  He would sing songs from the musical South Pacific, the only play he remembers performing in as a young kid, even though there were several.  He learned to play piano but in his adulthood he could only remember how to play “12th Street Rag” and his kids begged him to play it for them over and over.  It’s a song that will always remind them of their dad.

He attended school in Preston and graduated from Preston High School in 1967.  He then went to Rick’s College and served in the National Guard for 20 years. 

Tony married Melanie Sharp on June 22, 1973, and together they had six amazing children, Tiffany, Benji, Tara, Cody, Taneill, and Brock.  Their family was sealed as an eternal unit in the Logan Temple on April 14, 1976.  His children have fond memories of doing fun things with their dad, like playing ball, his own invention of tag he called “Gotcha Last”, or sledding off the garage roof during a year in which there were gigantic snow piles. Our home was filled with laughter and so were our family texting chains all because of Dad’s great sense of humor that most of his kids inherited from him. We won’t mention which ones don’t have it. 

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We will all remember how beautifully and tenderly he prayed to his Father in Heaven.

Tony worked hard every day of his life from his first job working for his father at McCune Motor in Preston to his last as a driver for L.W. Miller’s. He took his role as provider for his family seriously and we wish we‘d told him more how much it was appreciated.  He made many sacrifices so that his family could have it all.  He was a long haul truck driver for 31 years, having crossed all 48 continental states and drove safely over 4 million miles without an accident.  Every mile he drove was a mile closer to being back home with his family.  His “favorites” were his grandchildren and he loved to have them around. They loved when grandpa would tease them or play hand-slapping games, race them or wrestle.   His second greatest love after his family was ice cream.  It was almost always the first thing he would eat when he returned from a trip and it was the last thing he ate in the hospital before he lost consciousness.  Tony was a very likeable and loveable guy and made friends easily.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him but they will all smile and laugh when they remember him. 

He is survived by his wife, Melanie, of Logan, Utah, and his six children: Tiffany of Salt Lake City; Benji (Krista) of Hyrum; Tara (John) Coppin of Logan; Cody (Holly) of Nibley; Taneill (Brandon) Thurgood of Saratoga Springs; Brock (Dani) of Hyrum; and by his 9 grandsons and 11 granddaughters who were the light of his life.  His three brothers also survive him: Brent (Linda) Christensen of Preston; Richard Christensen of Boise; and Michael (Jolene) Christensen of Garland; and so do many more extended family members and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his nephew Todd Christensen, and his in-laws Willis Gregory Sharp and Meda Chatterton Sharp.

Funeral Services for Tony will be held Friday, September 22 at 12:00 noon in the LDS Chapel located at 1350 E. Eastridge Drive in Logan, Utah.  A family gathering for relatives will take place from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Lewiston Cemetery.  Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com.