Don Kussee

Don Fifield Kussee passed away peacefully on May 26, 2022 at his home in Orem, Utah. He was born the son of Inis Fifield Butler and Don Ireson Kussee. He was raised by his stepfather Don T. Butler and his mother, Inis in Spokane, Washington. He was a Veteran of the US Navy where he served proudly for 8 years, during the Korean Conflict.

He married the love of his life Kleis JoAnn Larson and they shared 66 loving years together... “All because two people fell in love”, they had four children Denise Jensen (Lonald) Tammy Allen (Jeff), Kris Kussee (Becky) and Kennan Hale (Kregg). 30 Grandchildren and 61 Great Grandchildren, with three more expected this year. He could not help but beam with pride when sharing the size of his posterity.
Education was important to him, and he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics while his children were small. Later in life, he received his Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Brigham Young University. He has supported his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many others in the community in pursuing educational opportunities.

He started his career in the airline industry, moved into the space industry working on the Saturn V Rocket for the Apollo missions, He then spent 25 years at Eastman Kodak Co. working on several projects ranging from top secret satellites to blood analyzers. He ended his professional career teaching Computer Science at what was then known as Utah Valley State College.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved teaching the gospel. Together, he and Kleis served in the Tallahassee. Florida Mission. He loved His Savior Jesus Christ.

He loved traveling and visited over 116 states and countries. Another passion of his was traveling by train. He travelled back and forth across the United States by rail several times sometimes in the same month. He loved genealogy and family history and has gathered and brought to life many storffies of his ancestors. He found immense joy in helping others in that same endeavor, always willing to serve.

The celebration of Don’s life will be held with a viewing on Monday May 30th from 6-8 pm at the Nelson Family Mortuary in Provo, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday May 31st with a viewing from 10:00 –10:45 with services beginning at 11:00 am. He will be laid to rest with honors in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 17111 S Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, UT on Thursday June 2 at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a research project of which he was a participant in studying Macular Degeneration of the eyes by clicking the link below. This is a genetic eye disease that afflicted his family.

How lucky I am
To have something
that makes saying goodbye
So hard