Douglas McFerron Owen

Douglas McFerron Owen peacefully crossed to the other side of the veil on July 11, 2022 surrounded by his wife Karen and his children. Doug was born January 29, 1941 to LeRoy and Florence McFerron Owen. At the age of 3, after his mother Florence passed away, he was raised by his father and mother, LaVerne Nielsen Owen.

Doug was a loving brother and son, he cherished his relationships with each of his siblings and parents. Doug was a man full of service and love. He was a man who sacrificed so much for those around him, strangers and friends alike. He taught us to love the Savior. He had a love for the scriptures and shared his testimony countless times with his children and grandchildren. He also taught us to serve others, laugh and love music.

Doug was a devoted missionary in the Southwest Bristol England Mission. He felt a deep connection serving in the country of his heritage. Throughout his life, he shared mission stories and expressed his love for the people of England. After his mission, serving in the National Guard as a cook, he developed a love for making good food. He showed off his ability to make something out of nothing at many impromptu and memorable family gatherings.

Doug married Karen Ann Cheney in the Salt Lake City Temple on December 20th, 1963 for time and all eternity. They were blessed with six wonderful children.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Doug humbly and faithfully served in many capacities. He loved serving in the Bishopric of the Newport Beach YSA Ward and as Bishop of the Corona Del Mar Ward. He felt blessed to be Bishop during the building of the Newport Beach Temple and had many tender, faith building experiences during this time. Doug spent the last few years of his life serving in the Salt Lake Temple.

Doug was a devoted, loyal friend. He developed friendships at an early age that have continued to this day. These friends have been a great support and source of strength to Doug and his family throughout his life. His friends were drawn to him by his incredible love for others. On many occasions, laughter would fill the room as Doug recounted the stories of his childhood and experiences with these friends.

His work took him all over the country where he continued to make friends and had opportunities to influence countless people. There’s not a family member, neighbor, friend, work associate, or colleague that did not feel his tremendous love when they interacted with him. He had a unique ability to make those he came in contact with instantly feel loved and appreciated.

Doug’s greatest accomplishment is that of being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His posterity was his greatest joy. Doug was fondly known as Grandpa Dougie by his 26 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He took a special interest in each grandchild and showed this through encouraging texts, treasured voicemails, letters and attendance at sporting events, births, baptisms, weddings, graduations and more. Doug leaves behind a legacy of service, love, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He taught his posterity to love unconditionally, be honest, work hard and not take life too seriously.

The last few months of Doug’s life were hard, despite his limitations and difficulty communicating, he was quick to give every visitor a “thumbs up” and express his love for them with a, “You’re the best.”, “Love You” or “Greatest Blessing”. He is loved and adored by his family and will be deeply missed here on earth.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Karen; his children Steven (Alisyn), Dan (Heidi), Jenn (Tim) Hoj, Amy (Craig) Schafer, Nate (Cari), and Megan (Joseph) Young. Siblings: Thomas (Lucile) Owen, Kaye (Michael) Jensen, Patricia (Roger) Matkin, Marilyn (Curt) Folkersen, Carolyn (Lynn) Fletcher, sister-in-law Linda Owen; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Leroy Owen, mother Florence McFerron and mother LaVern Owen and brothers Richard (Beth) Gehrke and Robert Owen.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Millcreek 16th Ward, 3408 S. Celeste Way, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may call at the ward chapel on Friday, July 15, 2022 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 – 10:45 am.

Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Salt Lake City.

Funeral Directors: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary.

To view the webcast live of the funeral service, please go to www.jenkins-soffe.com