Remembering Donald Alan Lewon

Donald Alan Lewon was born on August 23, 1936, in Lewistown, Montana, to Harry and Florence Shuman Lewon, joining his sister, Laura Ann. He lived in Lewistown, enjoying the small-town life, until different business interests got his father to move the family to Salt Lake City in 1950. Don passed away on March 5, 2026.

Don went to Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah, his junior and senior years in high school, graduating in 1954, and then to the University of Utah, where he graduated from the mining and metallurgy program in 1958. He bounced around a little bit following his graduation, going through basic training for the Air Force Reserve, working at the family equipment business, Lewon Brothers, in the San Francisco area, dreaming of going to work in South America for one of the mining companies there, but ending up with his father in Salt Lake City at Utah Metal Works, the family metal recycling business.

Working with his father was not always easy, but he kept running into a woman that interested him, selling tickets at U of U football games and other places, Susan Packard. They dated, and a planned trip to Europe that Don had, became a honeymoon for the two of them after they married on June 21, 1961.

Don worked at Utah Metal Works up until a couple of weeks before he passed, enjoying the recycling version of manufacturing, treasuring the friends that he made in the industry, and among the business customers, and the vendors, to the company.

Don enjoyed tennis, skiing, conversations with friends and family, a good martini and wine, and watching his children and grandchildren grow up and become adults in their own right. Don and Sue traveled extensively, particularly enjoying Australia, South America, and the good ol' USA.

Don was active in industry trade associations, like NARI and ISRI. He was senior warden of St. Mark's Cathedral four times. He served the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, was on the board of Wasatch Academy and Ronald McDonald House. He was on the board of the social and behavioral college at the University of Utah and supported many other charities. He believed in education and was always optimistic given the opportunities that are available here in the United States.

Don is survived by his wife Sue, daughter Anne (Jim), son Chris (Laura), son Mark, grandchildren Joshua, Austin, Packard, Sarah, and Prescott, numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and a multitude of friends. Preceded in death by one grandson, Jacob Henderson.

A funeral service will be held at St. Mark's Cathedral, 231 E. 100 South in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 14 at 11 AM. Immediately following all are welcome to a celebration of life at the Cottonwood Club, 1780 Lakewood Dr., Holladay, Utah.

Please make donations to the charity of your choice. The family would like to give our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Ridge-Cottonwood and Utah Home Healthcare and Hospice. Services are entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor.

Featured Photo by József Szabó on Unsplash. Body Photo Courtesy of Mark Lewon.

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