WWII veteran marks 99th birthday with Deer Valley gondola ride

World War II Veteran Ted Crittenden, rides the East Village Gondola on his 99th Birthday, March 24, 2026 Photo: TownLift//Randi Sidman-Moore

PARK CITY, Utah — High above the Wasatch Back, World War II veteran Ted Crittenden marked his 99th birthday the same way he’s lived much of his life, with wonder, gratitude, and family close by.

On Tuesday, Crittenden was joined by two of his children, along with one of their spouses and two great grandchildren, to board the Deer Valley East Village gondola for a scenic ride. For the Hoytsville native, the ride celebrated nearly a century of life with views stretching across the mountains he’s long called home.

“It’s unbelievable — yeah, mind-boggling,” Crittenden said of the experience.

Crittenden wasn’t the only one marking a milestone. His great-granddaughter, who joined the outing, was also turning 10 that day.

Military service

Crittenden enlisted in the U.S. Navy at just 17 years old. He served from March 6, 1945, to January 16, 1948, a period that placed him at the edge of one of the most pivotal moments in world history.

After completing boot camp, he was stationed in Guam when the atomic bomb was dropped, signaling the end of World War II. His service took him across the Pacific, including time aboard ships in Japan, Australia, and China, and he later contributed to cleanup efforts at Pearl Harbor.

Return to Summit County

When he returned home, Crittenden built a life rooted in work, community, and church service. Family members describe him as steady, generous, and deeply influential.

“He’s just a very good example — very patient, very giving,” said his daughter-in-law, Linda Crittenden.

That example has extended across an enormous family tree: 12 children between two families, 32 grandchildren, 95 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

“He’s always stayed active — physically and mentally — and taught us to work,” his son Kendall said. “He’s been a good example to all of us.”

Tuesday’s gondola ride came together through a collaboration between Deer Valley Resort and the Military Installation Development Authority, sparked by an idea from MIDA Military Recreation Facility Project Area Director Heather Kruse and Crittenden’s son, Kendall Crittenden, a Wasatch County councilmember.

For Crittenden, the milestone birthday came with a simple piece of advice for the rising generation: “Get off your phone and do something.”