Lonnie Ayers

Lonnie Douglas Ayers passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025, in Draper, Utah. He was 87 years old.

This good man was born January 6, 1938, in Lewiston, Idaho. He was the ninth of ten children born to Lester Charles and Lucy Alice Pearson Ayers. He loved sports and excelled at playing football, baseball, and basketball. After graduating from Lewiston High School, Lonnie attended Brigham Young University where he earned a Bachelor of Science. He later earned a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah.

In 1958-1960, Lonnie served as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Tonga mission where he served in the Fiji District. It was there that he met his future wife, Uvonne Bigelow, whose parents were serving a building mission in the Samoan mission. This young couple crossed paths during Uvonne's final week in the islands as her family was preparing to return to Utah. A correspondence was initiated and the relationship bloomed. Lonnie and Uvonne were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 18, 1960.

They made their first home in Provo, Utah. Later, they moved to Cedar City, Utah, after Lonnie began his career with the State of Utah as an employee of Job Service. In 1967, the young family moved to Granger, Utah (now West Valley City) where Lonnie helped build the home they would live in for the next 55 years.

Lonnie was a devoted husband and father. His family was his first priority, and he went to extraordinary lengths to assist and support them throughout their lives. Each of his children have fond memories of family road trips, camp-outs, working and serving together and learning life lessons from their father.

Lonnie had a firm testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of the Church. He served in many church positions and invested his whole heart and soul into each one. He especially loved working with the youth. Following his retirement, Lonnie and Uvonne served two full-time missions together. The first was to the Singapore Mission in 1997-1999. The second was to the Cherry Hill, New Jersey Mission in 2002-2003. They had remarkable experiences together and loved, and were loved by the people among whom they served.

Lonnie will be remembered for his many acts of service and kindness. He loved baking cinnamon rolls and pies during the Christmas season which he enjoyed delivering to friends and neighbors. As an enthusiastic gardener he was frequently found tending to his garden. He maintained a large garden, even after the children left home, because it gave him an opportunity to share his bounty with those he loved.

Lonnie loved his BYU Cougars and was a season ticket holder for BYU football and basketball for over 50 years. He always purchased extra tickets so he could share the excitement of BYU sports with family and friends. He watched every game and would watch reruns of these same games years later.

Lonnie possessed a "can do" attitude and was convinced that he could build or repair anything. In 1968, he helped build the chapel that his family attended for many years. Who can forget the lava rock fireplace downstairs in the family home, the hours he spent with Zen Littlefield restoring antique cars or remodeling the family home to make room for his rapidly growing posterity. The family has been truly blessed by Lonnie's example of hard work, wholesome recreation and service to family, church and community.

Lonnie is survived by his wife, Uvonne, their six children, Saundra Gall (Hoby), SueAnne Wake (Carl), Michael (John), Keith (Dawn), Brandon (Callie) and Sheridyn Cook (Quin), bonus daughter Chris Forier (Mark); their 21 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter. He is preceded in death by his parents and all nine siblings.

A viewing will take place Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6:00-8:00pm at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, UT 84123.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10:30am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3676 W 4700 S, West Valley City, Utah. A viewing will take place, prior to the funeral, at 9:30-10:15am.

Those who wish to livestream the service may do so here: zoom.com
The ID number is:
959 9860 6920
The passcode is:
834561

The family wants to thank all those who helped take care of Lonnie during these past few years as he fought his battle with Alzheimer's and other physical challenges.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Intermountain Foundation - Primary Children's Hospital www.give.primarychildrenshospital.org or your favorite charity.