Charles Lamar Doane, a noble, exemplary, and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on June 4, 2021. He was preceded in death by his beloved eternal companion Geneva on January 21, 2021.
Charles was born January 8, 1934, the sixth of seven children, to Chauncey Maxwell Doane and Sadie Rowe Campbell Doane, in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. Charles grew up in Rupert and spoke fondly of his childhood. He had many friends to pal around with including his older brother Arthur and younger brother Lyle whom he cherished. He was affectionately known as “Chooch” during his childhood by those who knew him well. He played and enjoyed many sports and excelled in boxing. He won the Intermountain West Championship and was selected to attend the Olympic Trials in Chicago Illinois.
He met the love of his life, a beautiful girl, named Geneva Mae Stevenson. They began dating shortly before he left for College at BYU and continued their long-distance courtship through many endearing love letters. Charles and Geneva were married on April 15, 1954, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together they had seven children. Putting the Lord first, their love grew as they dedicated themselves to their young family.
In 1965 they moved from Idaho to Salt Lake City, Utah. They settled in the Rose Park Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints where they blossomed. For the next 56 years, with Geneva at his side, Charles served in many capacities including, Young Men’s President, Bishop, Stake President, Patriarch and a Sealer in the Salt Lake Temple.
He spent over 20 years in his career at Intermountain Health Care as a hospital administrator and government relations director. He was involved in politics and served in the Utah State Legislature from 1979 to 1982. He was also on many other political and community committees.
After retirement, Charles and Geneva served a mission for two and a half years as area welfare agents in Northern Europe. They loved their missionary service, working with priesthood leadership. After their mission, Charles and Geneva served as committee members at the federal level. The focus was to enable legislation protecting the Freedom of Religion Act.
He served in the Salt Lake Temple for nearly two decades. Part of that time he served as a Sealer and performed countless sealings and blessed many lives including those of his grandchildren.
Charles loved people and had a tender heart. He was a gifted listener and man of few words. He had well-earned wisdom and the ability to share it at the right moment in a concise way. He was a true disciple of Christ exemplifying his dedication through love, compassion, word and deed. He was a man of faith until the very end.
We will never forget his dedication to hard work, and his playful teasing with his adored wife, and children and grandchildren.
Charles worked hard and played harder. He looked for any opportunity to plan a trip to Lake Powell or Bear Lake, where he made many lasting memories with his family and friends. It was not uncommon for him to jump in the water fully dressed in long sleeve shirt and pants. He would entertain the family with his high-speed skiing and wake jumping on two skies which brought laughter and amazement to spectators.
He is preceeded in death by his parents, sisters Vivian Doane, Mary-Lou (Blaine) Barker, Dawn LaNell (James “Roland”) Goff, and brothers William (Lola) and Arthur “Art”.
He is survived by his children, Cheryl (Dennis) Monson, Gayle (Dennis) Walker, Marsha (Robert) Sizemore, Max (Tami) Doane, Carla (Barry) Olsen, Carl (Rachelle) Doane and Jennifer (David) Harden, 36 grandchildren and 61 great-grandchildren. Also, by his brother, Lyle (Diane) Doane, and his sister in-law, Daphne Doane, Art’s wife.
His family expresses deep gratitude for those who cared for Charles at the Legacy Village of Sugar House and to Canyon Hospice care.
A funeral will be held Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at the Rose Park Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Salt Lake City. The address is: 760 North 1200 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116.
Family and friends may visit, prior to the funeral, in the same building from 10:30-11:30 AM.
Funeral services may be viewed live on YouTube at https://youtu.be/V3-4gDJHm1w
Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Love your Father. He was truly one of my heroes who looked after me in my day. Love the whole Diane Family.
Uncle Charles is such a dear sweet man. Always setting a good example of love and service. He was funny to talk to and kind and gentle. He and his wife, what a sweet reunion. I know my mom, his sister loved him and I do too. I loved spending time at their home as a child. I love you Uncle Charles. Thank you for the love you showed.
Your parents were my home teacher's from 1996-2002. I was a newly divorced, scared middle aged woman. Charles is a celestial being who faithfully served me by weekly mowing my lawn, fixing my swamp cooler every year and they brought me rose's on my birthday. I love them more than I can express. Just last week I found where they were living and was going to bring Charles a card thanking him for being the best friend and home teacher to me in my seventy years. Now I plan on giving them my love and thanks in Paradise. Bless you all.
Congratulations to Brother Doane on a life well lived. His service to others has blessed so may lives including my own.