Dennis Richard Meyring

Dennis Richard Meyring

Dennis "Coach" Meyring passed away peacefully in St. George, Utah, on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 5:30 a.m. (right in time for morning workout). My father was born June 19, 1945, to Archer "Arch" Sutton Meyring Jr. and Sarah "Sally" Mildred Solomon. Arch and Sally had three children: Gene, Janet, and Dennis.

The Meyrings were raised with an excellent work ethic of dedication, positive attitude, attention to detail, striving to give 110%, and never giving up. This resulted in all three siblings leading successful lives, holding leadership roles, and setting good examples within their communities.

Dad discovered swimming at an early age and excelled in the sport. He graduated from Vallejo High School in 1963, then attended Vallejo Community College, where he made All-American under the dedicated coaching of Frank Whitmore. After achieving his associate degree, Brigham Young University recruited Dad to lead their swimming team, and he was the team captain. My father held many swimming records, and many of them still stand today. In the past 5 years, Dad competed in the World Senior Olympics and posted a few more. Dad was very humble about his achievements; we would find boxes of medals and search the internet to see his records.

The Meyrings were not a faith-based family. Dad knew nothing about Mormonism when he began at BYU. However, after falling in love with our mother, Linda McEuen, he realized the only way Linda would allow their relationship to continue was if he joined the Church. Well, that "sealed the deal." Dennis and Linda were married in the Los Angeles Temple on June 3, 1967.

Dad finished his degree at Brigham Young, and the two lovebirds headed back to Oxnard, CA. When Dad arrived, he was again faced with stiff competition-names like Parrish, Suskin, and Raffaelli. Fortunately, Dad had a father-in-law named Andy McEuen (first principal at Hueneme High and current assistant superintendent), and suddenly a new pool was built to start a swimming program. Dad had many great swimmers and developed top-level teams for the next 15 years.

Over the course of those 15 years, Dennis and Linda started a family in 1970 and had eight (8) children.

Struggling to provide for eight children, Dad left his career in education and took a construction management job in Seattle. The economics and lack of partnership caused a strain on my parents' marriage, ending in divorce.

While working in Seattle, Dad started a pen pal relationship with a wonderful woman in Utah named Vicki Sinclair Johnson, a single mother of four (4) children. They exchanged many letters prior to meeting. Shortly after meeting, they decided to get married on Valentine's Day 1987 and were sealed in the Provo Temple that August.

Dad and Vicki resided in American Fork, where they both were educators. Dad began a legendary swimming program and continued the program for over 45 years.

Dad and Vicki enjoyed 38 years together until her death in June 2025. We know he is thrilled to be reunited with his sweetheart Vicki, family, friends, and his favorite dog Molly.

Our father is survived by his children: Matthew Meyring (Melinda), Chad Meyring (Cate), Trevor Meyring, Tiana Kinnon (Matthew), Ryan Meyring (Kristy), Kayla Martz (Tyler), Betsy Pegler (Garrett), Linnae Edgeworth (Randall); Vicki's children: David Johnson, Douglas Johnson (Sara), Daniel Johnson (Camille), Julie Clark (Kelly), Wei Xie (Keeley), and Evelyn Johnson; and their combined grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the American Fork Stake Center - 950 N 60 E, American Fork, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral service from 9:45-11:45 a.m. Interment will follow at the American Fork Cemetery. If you are having a hard time finding where Dad and Vicki's gravesite is, just look for the BYU swimming starting block with the green headstone.

Coach Meyring's two greatest passions in life were his family and coaching. Please consider donating to the Lehi High School Swim Team in lieu of flowers by using the QR code below. Your generous contribution will help continue the program he loved so deeply and keep his legacy alive in the hearts of future swimmers.