Douglas Frederick Norris

Douglas Frederick Norris, 77, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026 in the company of his family.

Doug was born July 8, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Fred C. and Clara Rose Norris. He grew up in Sugar House, Utah. Proud of his Sugar House heritage, he loved meeting people who lived or grew up in the same area. He attended Highland High School where he participated in the JROTC program and learned auto mechanics. Around that time, he acquired his aunt’s 1937 La Salle, which he owned for the next 40 years. He certainly loved that car and many recall it resting in the garage at his house long after it stopped running.

Doug was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He grew up in the Highland Park Ward, and served a full-time mission in what was then called the Cumorah Mission in New York. These were some of the best years of his life which he recalled with great fondness. He attended the University of Utah where he obtained a degree in Music Theory. He married Marlene Bleak on April 12, 1979 after meeting through activity in the Church single adult program. He often liked to say they “met in the Stake President’s office”. The family they raised together was at the center of his life.

Doug worked for the Little America hotel company for 47 years. Starting as an apprentice tile-layer to his Uncle Arthur, he served in many capacities with the maintenance department across all company properties, and developed trusted relationships with his co-workers and employers. Doug enjoyed his work and over the years became adept at any task he was asked to do. Ultimately, he was a master craftsman and a great asset to the company to whom he gave his working years. He often said the reason he stayed with the Little America company for all that time was due to his friendship with the Earl Holding family.

Doug learned to play the organ as a teenager, and music was an important activity that brought him and his family great joy for his entire life. Some of his favorite memories were visiting the Organ Loft in Salt Lake City with his dad, playing the organ for nearly every church meeting he attended, and invitations to play the organs at the Assembly Hall and the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Doug served as the ward organist for over 30 years, in addition to serving as a Gospel Doctrine teacher and High Priest group leader. He enjoyed participation in the Church, and had a deep knowledge of and love for the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Doug was proud of the fact he took his family on a vacation almost every summer. He loved studying maps, traveling, and visiting new places. Another hobby he enjoyed was researching family history and writing his own life story. He loved reading and expressing thoughts in writing. After retirement in 2017, Doug went on road trips with his wife, and continued to focus on yard work and projects around the house to engage his skills as a craftsman. Doug was a man of his word who fought the good fight and finished his work. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Clara Norris, and sister-in-law Colleen Norris. He is survived by his wife Marlene, sister Darlene Peterson (Neil), brother Preston Norris, children Chris Norris (Katie), Marianne Norris, Allison Norris, Greg Norris (Melissa), and grandchildren Caleb, Ellie and Titus.

Thanks to the caregivers at Legacy House of Taylorsville and Independence Hospice for the kindness, care and support they offered to Doug and his family.

A viewing will be held Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 6:00-8:00pm, with funeral services on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 10:00am. There will be a viewing from 9:00-9:45am prior to the service. The viewing and service will be held at the LDS meetinghouse at 4986 S Valois Drive, Taylorsville, Utah. Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.