Howard Lee Ringwood

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Howard Lee Ringwood passed away December 17, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah after a short but valiant fight with cancer.  Born July 15, 1938 to John Albert and Lola Elizabeth Brown Ringwood.  Howard was the youngest of seven children.

Howard was raised in Salt Lake City and attended East High school where he excelled in sports. He earned a football scholarship at Brigham Young University. Sports remained an important part of his life for many years after school. He excelled in almost every sport he participated in. He spent many years as the top ranked racquetball player in the state of Utah as well as one of the prominent pitchers in fast pitch softball.

Howard spent many years working in the health and fitness club business. He enjoyed his years at the Deseret Gym. He loved helping others improve their skills as a coach and instructor. Later in life he started a home health care business with a partner. He took great pride in being in people's homes and helping them become more comfortable as they battled health challenges.

Howard married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Lee Burt, and together they welcomed seven children into their family. He taught his children the value of work as he often held down more than one job.

Mostly he was a family man. Family meant much to him. Vacations were almost always with extended Ringwood or Burt families and sometimes with both. Howard's greatest accomplishments were realized in his own home and with his children and grandchildren. He will continue to be a shining example in their lives. His children and grandchildren will cherish his testimony of the Savior and his willingness to serve others for eternity.

He was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of serving a full-time mission when he was called with Sharon to serve in the Florida Tallahassee Mission. Howard served faithfully in the church his whole life, answering every calling including two times as the Bishop of Emerson ward.

Howard is survived by his wife Sharon, his seven children Jane (Clyde) Latta, Burt (Cathy), Michael (Rosalie), Angi (Dennis) Hilton, Cindy (Scott) Russell, Wayne, and Heidi (Rod) Barlow. He is also survived by a sister Louise (James) Moore and a brother Edwin Lavell. He leaves behind 28 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday December 23, 2014 at the Sugar House Stake Center, 1100 East 1700 South. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Monday evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and also on Tuesday morning from 9:30am to 10:30am prior to services. Interment and dedication of the grave will be held at 2:00pm at the Charleston City Cemetery. Online tributes and comments can be posted for the family at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com