L. Don LeFevre, Longtime Church Spokesman, Passes Away at Age 85
Contributed By Scott Taylor, Church News Managing Editor
Don LeFevre, a frequently quoted former spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died of natural causes Wednesday, February 20, 2019, surrounded by his children. He was 85 years old.
He worked 36 years in public relations for the Church—first as an account executive and copy writer for the Salt Lake City advertising firm David W. Evans & Associates, with the Church as his primary account for more than a decade, and later when the Church created its own public relations office in 1973.
Brother LeFevre handled media questions about policy and doctrine, arranged for interviews, conducted press conferences, and hosted national and international media visiting the Church in Salt Lake City.
L. Don LeFevre. Photo courtesy of Deseret News archives.
Brother L. Don LeFevre and Sister Bonnie LeFevre at the time of their call to the Laie Hawaii Temple Visitors’ Center in 2000. Photo courtesy of Deseret News archives.
He was public relations director for Church exhibits at the 1964–65 World’s Fair in New York City; Hemisfair ’68 in San Antonio, Texas; and Expo ’75 in Spokane, Washington, as well as at the Hill Cumorah Pageant from 1967 to 1976.
In 1989, he succeeded Jerry P. Cahill as the Church’s director of media relations; in 1993, he became manager of print media and news service relations, holding that position until his retirement in January 1999.
Brother LeFevre mentioned the 1978 revelation of the priesthood, numerous announcements of new temples, and news and events associated with the Church’s general conferences as highlights.
After retirement, he served as director of the Laie Hawaii Temple Visitors’ Center with his wife, Sister Bonnie LeFevre.
He was born Louis Don LeFevre on October 6, 1933, in Murray, Utah, the son of John Alphonso and Valora Ella Allsop LeFevre. After growing up in Sandy, Utah, and attending local schools there, he joined the U.S. Army in 1953, then attended the University of Utah before interrupting his studies to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church in the Eastern States Mission.
He married Bonnie Bloom on October 22, 1959; they were the parents of four sons and a daughter. She preceded him in death, passing away on January 14, 2017.
Following his graduation from the University of Utah, he worked for the Salt Lake Tribune before beginning his long public relations career. He also did part-time broadcasting and reporting for the Associated Press’s Salt Lake City bureau for many years.
Survivors include his four sons and daughter, 20 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and a sister. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a sister, three brothers, and a granddaughter.
Funeral services will be Monday, February 25, at 11 a.m. at the Bountiful Utah Central Stake Center, 650 S. 750 East in Bountiful, Utah.
