Laura Lee McCombs

Laura Lee Crosby McCombs was born on September 25th 1937 in Cedar City, Utah. Her parents, Jack Leroy Crosby and LaRee Wakling dated each other while working for the Union Pacific at the Grand Canyon National Park. When Laura Lee was born the family worked for the park service at Zions National Park and Sun Valley. This upbringing in the shadows of these spectacular National Treasures left a lasting impression on young Laura Lee. Throughout her life she loved to visit, enjoy, and photograph America’s National Parks. She organized a massive multi family reunion at Capitol Reef National Park in Utah that gave her much joy to plan and implement.

She enjoyed her younger years, attended Springdale Elementary School, and recalled a school trip to a swinging bridge up the canyon to Angels Landing that was school sponsored but had dubious safety features. “There were no ropes on the bridge to protect you from falling” she recalled. As Laura Lee grew older and siblings were added to the Crosby family, her parents moved to Cedar City for new job opportunities and for Laura Lee to attend Cedar High School. Laura Lee remembered that her parents never had to buy food and pay rent because the National Park had previously provided for their needs.

While in Cedar City Laura Lee enjoyed outings for cookouts and she especially enjoyed pine nut gathering. In High School she learned typing, joined the marching band playing the clarinet and the band won the state competition that included choreographed dance moves in the jitter bug style.

She would sing with a trio of girls in Cedar City and Saint George at various gatherings. She recalled singing “funny songs” with her friends. Her friendships were very important to her and from Jr. High School she had seven dear friends that she kept current with her entire life.

On March 9, 1957, she married Vernile Matheson. The couple moved many times seeking education and employment to places that included: Southern California, Arizona, Provo, Arkansas, Fresno California, Parowan Utah and Cedar City Utah. They had 5 children: Teri Adams, Lynette (Judd), Vernile Bret, Kristen and Sterling Jared.

On October 21, 1989 Laura Lee married Dr. Rey H. McCombs. The couple relocated to Chowchilla, California and Laura Lee managed Rey’s dental practice in Merced California for over a decade. Laura Lee was a phenomenal office manager, there was NEVER an empty chair and through her hard work and follow-up the practice thrived. LauraLee remembered, “working the dental practice was easy because Rey was such a good dentist”. They really enjoyed working together.

The newlyweds enjoyed road trips and international travel and could spend days on the road, so much so that they were nicknamed ‘leadbutts” by family members for being able to sit in a car for extended periods of time. They traveled to national parks, Korea, China, the UK, many locations throughout the United states and Canada. As devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, they attended temples wherever they traveled. They were part of a motor cycle gang and in later years they traded the motorcycle for a Chrysler convertible so they could enjoy long drives and the wind in their hair.

Laura Lee settled down for their retirement in Saint George Utah in a house that she and Rey planned and had built. Laura Lee served numerous missions with Rey and on her own including: Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Nauvoo, Palmyra New York Pageant, and the San Luis Obispo California LDS Institute. She also enjoyed serving as a temple worker throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rey H. McCombs, Morgan Bowen- Son-in-law, Carol Nelson (Rick) -Step-daughter, Lisa McCombs Quilter - step-daughter, Christian Rey Nelson - grandson.

She is survived by a grand posterity; Teri Adams (Neil) - Parowan, Lynette Judd (Kelly) - Paragonah, Kristen Bowen - Salt Lake City, Sterling Matheson (Kristin) - Cottonwood Heights, Marilyn McCombs Pettit (Scott) - Lehi, Dr Kathleen McCombs - South Jordan, Dr Ronald H. McCombs - Maple Valley. Laura Lee led a rich and fulfilling life with a large and blended family, 11 children, 35 grandchildren, and 65 great-grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Friday, October 30th, 2026 at 10:00am at the Paragonah LDS Church. The viewing will held that same morning at 9:00am prior to the funeral service. Interment will take place that afternoon at 2:00pm in St George, Utah at The Tonaquint Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to share pictures and memories on her memorial page.