John South

John Brodil South, 85, passed away peacefully with his family at his side April 2, 2025, in Cedar City, Utah. He was born April 5, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to William Taylor and Jane Brodil South.
John grew up in the city of South Salt Lake, where he graduated from Granite High School. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Swiss-Austrian Mission from 1959 to 1962. He married Judy Fereday Sept. 19, 1963, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.
He earned a doctorate from the University of Utah in economics and taught at the University of Utah, Arkansas State University, Pittsburg State University, Western Carolina University, and Valdosta State University. He also served as vice president of manufacturing for Politron Inc., in Pittsburg, Kansas, as an economist for the state of Utah, and worked for Douglas United Nuclear, Inc., in Richland, Washington. He provided consulting services for companies including Levi Strauss.
In addition to his expertise in his professional field, John was also a church history scholar and a scriptorian. He could quote chapter and verse on a variety of topics and enjoyed discussing gospel questions with his family and others. His knowledge was also useful in his many teaching assignments for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Family and faith were the pillars of John’s life. He and his wife Judy had six children and John was determined to provide for his family and teach them the gospel. One of the highlights of his life was an opportunity to return to Europe and live in Germany with his family for two years, taking them to places he’d served as a missionary and on many other memorable trips. He also enjoyed taking family vacations to Disneyland, Silver Dollar City, the Ozark Folk Center State Park, and the beaches of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. He enjoyed meeting people and had friends of all ages. He continually taught his family by example how to be generous to those in need. His hobbies included reading, studying, splitting wood and visiting his grandchildren in their natural habitats.
John had an enduring testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and his life reflected his beliefs. His favorite hymn was “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.” The final stanza summarizes the kind of man John was. “Of me, thou hast not been ashamed. These deeds shall thy memorial be; fear not, thou didst them unto me.”
He is survived by his wife Judith Ann Fereday South; children William Roy (Raydene) South; Ann Brodil (Kevin) Niendorf; Michael John (Joyce) South; Joseph Brodil (Diana) South; Sara Jane (Trevor) Harvey; and John Fereday (Charlene) South; twenty two grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Frank (Vicki) South; Joseph (Laura) South; and Mary Jane Hart.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Todd Garrett and the Intermountain Homecare and Hospice staff for their compassionate care.
To honor John’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Online condolences can be sent to www.cedarvalleyfuneral.com.