Carol Lee (John) Shepherd

Carol Lee John Shepherd

1935 ~ 2025

January 28, 1935 – December 4, 2025

Carol Lee Shepherd passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 4, 2025, after a long and wonderful life. She was 90 years old.

Carol Lee was born on January 28, 1935, in Safford, Arizona, to Hugh Aldelbert John and Flora Bess McBride. The oldest of three children, she was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Sandra Gail Felts, and is survived by her brother, Johnny John.

She grew up on her family’s cotton farm in Safford, Arizona, where she learned the value of hard work and developed a love for family and community. Carol Lee attended Arizona State University for two years, and while there, met the love of her life, Douglas Carl Shepherd. They were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 2, 1954, and shared 70 wonderful years together.

Doug and Carol Lee began their family in Arizona before moving to Woodland Hills, California, and later to Camino, California, in the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills known as “Apple Hill.” In 1992, they retired to Alpine, Utah, and eventually settled in American Fork, where they spent their final years surrounded by most of their children and grandchildren.

Carol Lee was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many roles, including leadership in Young Women, Relief Society, and Primary. She and Doug served together in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and were honored to be among the first missionaries at the restored Nauvoo Temple during its open house in 2002. They later served a mission in Washington, D.C., in 2004.

Creative and artistic, Carol Lee loved sewing and painting, but her greatest joy was her family. She poured her heart into her children and grandchildren, making each one feel valued and capable of achieving anything. She loved playing cards with her grandkids, who adored her and affectionately called her their “sassy grandma.” Her trademark cheer for her posterity was: “You’re one hell of a family!”

Carol Lee is the proud mother of nine children: Douglas Carl (deceased), John Douglas (deceased), Kelly, John (Sherry), Mark, Tacy (Randy McDonald), Jared (Julie), LeAnne (Jason Vernon), and Matthew (Kristina). She dearly loved her 30 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Highland 1st Ward Chapel located at, 9621 North 6050 West, Highland, Utah. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol Lee (John) Shepherd, please visit our floral store.