Don C. Woodward

Don Carlos Woodward was a newspaperman in what he and his pals later realized was the golden age of newspapers.

Prostate cancer aggravated by Covid 19 pneumonia were the causes of his death at home with his family Sept. 18, 2022.

Journalism was in his blood from the time he was editor of the Provo High School newspaper. He graduated in journalism from BYU sitting next to his future wife, Julie Anne Pingree. They were later married, Feb. 9, 1962 in the Salt Lake Temple. 

He fulfilled a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Finland and then became part of the 142nd Military Intelligence Linguist Unit of the Utah National Guard.

Don was born April 3, 1936, to Don C. and Wyoma Lynn Woodward in Price, Utah, and grew up in Boulder City, Nevada; Kingman, Arizona and Price. He was the fourth generation of sons named Don Carlos Woodward. 

After his parents’ divorce, he, his mom and younger bother, Mike, moved to be near the Lynn family in Provo. From that time forward, he was very concerned about single moms because of the hardships the family faced.

His kids -–– the offspring of two journalists –– broke the mold and went into pharmacy (Leslie and Jane) and civil engineering (Clay).

His happy life included many annual family trips to Lake Powell and Laguna Beach, adventures with groups of friends in Europe and cruises with extended family for sight-seeing or snorkeling. He was a great lover of books, a ruthless card shark, a gifted artist and a builder of fine furniture. He finished two basements on his own.

He delighted in his monthly get-togethers with his pals from the newspaper, retirees from the 30th Ward, a writing group, and a book discussion group and had season tickets to Ballet West and Pioneer Memorial Theater.

He loved his 39 years at the Deseret News working with the truly talented staff, ending up as managing editor. During his stint as business editor, he interviewed the likes of J.C. Penney and flew aboard the 747 before it was certified.

In the Deseret News story about his retirement in 2000, they quoted Don: “The thing that's discouraging about what we do is that people don't always understand it as much as we hope they will,” he says. “We try to be as careful as we can, but there's always someone out there who doesn't understand it as much as we'd like.”

“The article went on :”Whatever negative impressions people carry around about journalists, none of the blame can be laid at Don Woodward's feet. When Henry David Thoreau huffed, ‘All journalism is gossip,’ he may have been speaking for many Americans.

“It's just unfortunate Thoreau -- and all those other Americans -- have never had the chance to spend time with Don Woodward.”

When Don retired, Bob Woody, one of his competitors at the Salt Lake Tribune, wrote: “I knew Don when we were reporters. We often covered the same events. I was ever astonished by his accuracy and civility. He never compromised substance to ego, cleverness or laziness. He never indulged petulance or surliness. We have lost a good and gentle ‘gentleman of the press’ in the retirement of Don Woodward, Deseret News managing editor. A real pro.”

Don received a Professional Journalism Fellowship at Stanford , won the Mark E. Petersen Excellence in Writing Award, the first two years it was awarded and the paper’s Distinguished Service Award. 

A member of the Bountiful 30th Ward, he spent many years as ward financial clerk and in various other stake and ward positions. His favorite was working at the Barton Creek Assisted Living Center. 

Don, who was always absolutely adored by his family, is survived by his wife of 60 years, Julie; three children, Leslie Anne Gregersen (David Clark), Jane Allison Kerzee (Kevin McGushin), and Don Clayton Woodward (Michelle Legare); two grandchildren, Aida Grace Kerzee and Grayson Carlos Woodward; seven step-grandchildren and ten step great-grandchildren; his brother, Michael Lynn Woodward (Virginia Baer), and sister, Kate Penland (Reid); nine nieces and nephews. He was also very close to his wife’s family, Kathy and Nick Vesper, Steve Pingree, Chris and Anne Pingree and Evelyn Pingree.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at the Bountiful 30th Ward (across the street from the Woodward home), 650 East 2150 South, Bountiful, Utah. An evening visitation will be held, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the church with another visitation Saturday morning from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.

The Woodward family is especially grateful to the Huntsman Cancer Center Oncology staff, CNS Hospice people, nurse Laura Harward and Dr. Jeffrey DeGrauw who strongly encouraged the family to take one more trip to Laguna Beach in August. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (rcfp.org) or Zero–The End of Prostate Cancer (zerocancer.org).

Use this link to watch the memorial service: https://zoom.us/j/91318892656