Jon Lavell Ringwood

Jon Lavell Ringwood, 75, journalist, husband, father and grandfather, died on May 31, 2025, of heart failure.

Jon was born August 28, 1949, in San Francisco to Edwin Lavell Ringwood and Eleanor Norton Ringwood. He attended schools in California and Salt Lake City, including Stewart School, Irving Junior High School and Highland High School, where he was a cheerleader, swimmer/diver, track athlete and sports editor of the school’s newspaper.

He pursued his journalism career at the Deseret News where he was a sports writer, wire room attendant, copy editor, copy chief, wire editor, assistant features editor, assistant sports editor and news editor. His career at the News spanned nearly 40 years. He was also a member and past president of the Utah Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication and economics from the University of Utah, served four years in the U.S. Navy in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, and on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Naval Forces Europe in London, England. He was honorably discharged in January 1973.

He married Eileen Adolphson on December 22, 1973, in Bountiful. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. He was a high priest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fulfilled many church assignments. He also authored more than 100 Church News Viewpoint editorials while at the Deseret News.

Jon is survived by his wife Eileen and his children, Kelly South (Terrel Jr.), Lisa Herzog, Mark Ringwood (Amber) and Natalie Ringwood, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and a great-grandson. He is also survived by brothers Bruce of Butler, MO; Lynn of Grain Valley, MO; and Rex (Vickie) of Chino, CA; and sisters Lane Bennett (Dayle) of Boise, ID; and Ann Davidson (Christopher) of Idaho Falls. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws. Preceded in death by his parents and brother, Scott.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Woodland Hills Ward Chapel, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful, Utah. An evening viewing will be held Monday, June 9, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street in Bountiful with another viewing on Tuesday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment Lakeview Memorial Park, 1640 E. Lakeview Drive in Bountiful.