Joseph Francis Ringholz

Ending a long and eventful life, Joseph Francis Ringholz died on May 19, 2016 in Palo Alto, California.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 29, 1926, he was the son of Joseph Francis Ringholz and Edna Watkins Ringholz Gaupp. He married Janice Pile in 1948. They were later divorced. He married Raye Carleson Price in 1974.

Joe's father died when he was less than four months old. His mother remarried and they moved to a number of cities, causing Joe to change schools several times. He graduated from Vista High in California at the age of 17 and immediately joined the Navy V-12 program, which enrolled him in Occidental College. He later entered the NROTC program at UCLA, where he joined the Sigma Nu fraternity. Following graduation from UCLA, Joe was commissioned as an Ensign and served on the U.S.S. Montpelier until the end of World War II.

In 1947, his uncle, Walter Watkins, brought him back to Salt Lake to start a career at the Selbach Insurance Agency. Joe excelled and became a partner and the firm`s name was changed to Watkins, Muir and Ringholz (later Watkins Ringholz Agency). In 1957 he was designated a member of the C.P.C.U. and was elected the first charter president of the Intermountain chapter. When Walt Watkins died, he became C.E.O. of the agency. The firm merged with Corroon and Black in 1970.

Joe was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Salt Lake Rotary Club, and the Dirty Shirts of America. He served on boards of the Alta Club, the Country Club and the Kimball Art Center.

Joe and Raye were married on a hunting safari in Africa. Joe was an avid skier, golfer, pilot, bird hunter and fisherman who shared his enthusiasm for life with Raye. They returned to Africa several times, summited the Grand Teton, went bone fishing at Christmas Island, trekked in the Himalayas, hunted and game fished in Alaska and travelled extensively. They also considered their 20 years in Park City, Utah an adventure and enjoyed skiing home after a day on the mountain or riding their horses for picnics in Thaynes Canyon. They then moved to Salt Lake City and enjoyed a winter home in Coronado, California, where they lived full time for two years before settling in Palo Alto.

Joe is survived by his wife Raye; children Cindy (Chris) Cunningham, Jane (Kenn) Poznar, Mary Ann Garrett, Michael Ringholz and Paul's widow Sherry Ringholz; step-daughters Allyn (John) Taylor, K.C. (Joe) Muscolino, Cam (Leon) Vance; grandchildren Matthew (Cindy) Cunningham, Rachel (Ted) Fisher, Patrick (Candace) Cunningham, Aaron (Tani) Houk, Beau (Jesalyn) Garrett , Clayne (Sunny) Garrett, Andrew Garrett, Jennifer, Krissy and Joey Ringholz, Jennifer (Josh) Salcman, John Andrew Taylor, Nick (Christine) Muscolino, Max Muscolino, Ashley (Tyler) Celey-Butlin, Adam Kelly, Lyndsey Kelly, Gabrielle Vance, Bridger Vance; great-grandchildren Taige and Riley Houk, Henry Reiner, Ellie Cunningham, Braden and Zack Fisher, Grady and Quinn Garrett, Chloe, Hank, Grace and Nina Garrett, Jackson Ringholz, Olivia, Andrew, and Jack David Salcman; and by Carlie and Allegra Shurtliff. He was preceded in death by sons Paul and John Ringholz.

The family is truly grateful for the wonderful care and friendship of Walter Barker III.

A celebration of Joe's life will be held on Tuesday, May 24th from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking provided on the north side of the building. Joe was laid to rest during a private family committal service at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Ave T Street, Salt Lake City.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice.