Neal James Westwood

Announcing the passing of my sweet husband, Neal James Westwood, who died on August 30, 2026 ,at the age of 79, after suffering for many years from Huntington's Disease. Neal was born July 1,1947, in Richfield, Utah, the son of Kenneth John Westwood and Lois Anna Maud Nickel Hansen Westwood.

He spent most of his childhood days in Monroe, UT, but because his father was an alcoholic, his childhood memories were not very pleasant. However, he was close to all of his siblings, and he has some very memorable friendships from Monroe, and some how they all helped him get through it. The Lord was watching over him.

His parents divorced when he was about 6 years old. His family moved to Kearns, UT where he was taken under the wings of the Gerlach family who helped him get through his teenage years. He will ever be grateful for their love and support.

He attended Granger High where he met and eventually married Evelyn Frances Jorgensen on June 4, 1968, in the Salt Lake Temple.

He was drafted into military service in 1966 and spent 22 years in the US Air Force, where he had many opportunities to serve in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as serving his nation.

He had many church callings including serving in branch presidencies, group leadership, ward bishoprics, district councils, and Stake councils, and served as a district missionary while stationed in Thailand.

In the Air Force he helped with the rescue and recovery flights of the Gemini and Apollo space flights. He had many opportunities to travel. He went to boot camp at Lackland AFB San Antonio, TX and tech school in Keesler AFB Biloxi, Mississippi. He served at Moron Air Base in Spain where he also traveled to England, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mauritius Island, and the Canary Islands; Robins AFB Warner Robins Georgia, where he also traveled to Alaska; Chanute AFB Rantoul, Ill; Mather AFB Sacramento, CA; Korat Royal Thai Air base Thailand; Minot AFB, ND; Provo, UT; Ft. Douglas, UT. He served as a radio operator, flight simulator technician, and then in Recruiting service. He loved being a part of the USAF.

He eventually settled his family in Taylorsville, UT, where his children were raised.

After retiring from the Air Force he went to work for Home Base, until it closed. He worked as a heavy haul truck driver for his brother, Duane. Then he worked for Semling-Menke (SEMCO Windows and Doors based in Wisconsin), where he served as a warrantee representative and covered everything west of Denver, which also afforded him many opportunities to travel and meet new people.

Neal spent his life serving others-his family, his neighbors, his co-workers, his country, and his Heavenly Father. He loved being with people. He was very meticulous about his work-he spent time and patience until every detail was just right. He enjoyed working with wood, doing remodeling jobs, building decks, writing letters, and making "dad" jokes. He loved his mother and siblings and all of his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Launa Joy Westwood; his father, Kenneth John Westwood; his mother Lois Anna Maud Nickel Hansen Westwood Bevan; a sister, Jeannine (Elroy) Barlow; five brothers: Carmen Jean Hansen, Carroll Dean (Veola) Hansen, Duane Leroy (Harley) Hansen, Kenneth Max (Juliesue) Westwood, and Keith Jay Westwood.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Jorgensen Westwood, three daughters: Jenny Dawn (Greg) Wadsworth, Lisa Ann Westwood, Kara DeAnn (Arion) Erekson; two sons: Jacob Max (Megen) Westwood and Samuel Jerard (Hilary) Westwood; a sister: Annavon (Kent) Dodge, 15 grandchildren and 4 great- grandchildren.

Special Thanks to the staff members of Aspire Hospice Services and Cornerstone Caregiving for their dedicated care in our behalf.

Funeral Services will be held, Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Bennion Ward, 5980 South 1300 West. Viewings will be held Friday, September 4, 2026, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home and again Saturday morning 11:00-12:45 at the church.
Interment, Valle View Memorial Park, 4400 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah, from 2:30-3:00 p.m.