Douglas (Doug) Gentry Woolley passed away peacefully on October 24, 2021. Born on November 19, 1951, in Salt Lake City to Edwin Royal Woolley, Sr. and Maude Henrietta Gentry.
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he is survived by his siblings Marilyn Enz, Virginia (Gary) Eddington, and Ted (Connie) Woolley, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, siblings Barbara (W. Kerm) Hamilton and Edloe (Leon) Slade and brothers-in-law Robert (Bob) Enz, Sr.
Doug attended East High School graduating in 1970, University of Utah, Weber State University, and completed several police certification programs to further his career. He became interested in law enforcement after doing ride-a-longs with several of his friends who were law enforcement officers.
Doug worked for the Ogden City Police Department for 3 years and Fairbanks Alaska Police Department for 23 years. In the summers he was a motorcycle officer. Doug became proficient in accident reconstruction and was used as an expert witness on many accident cases. His favorite assignment was serving as a beat foot patrol officer in the downtown area of Fairbanks where he could interact with the community.
Doug married Elizabeth (Betsy) Burk, the love of his life, on June 6, 1995. They enjoyed 18 years together before she passed away in 2013 after a seven-year battle with cancer. Throughout, Doug lovingly cared for and supported his “best friend” Betsy.
Doug loved serving others and was immersed in every community he lived in, making each one a better place. Fairbanks was his home for many years, and he worked on several community projects, including Habitat for Humanity and the Fairbanks Area Reclamation Team. While raising money to support these efforts he also gave generously of his time and talents. To show their appreciation for Doug’s continuous service, the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce elected him citizen of the year.
Doug and Betsy were heavily involved in the ski scene with the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the Ski Patrol raising money, providing support, and bringing Warren Miller ski movies to Fairbanks each year. His home In Fairbanks (known as Hotel Woolley) was the gathering place for many PSIA and Ski Patrol events and fundraisers.
He loved fast muscle cars and, along with his friend Tracy, built a Cobra car from a kit. Doug hosted drag races as part of Fairbanks’ Golden Days Festival in 1983 and 1984--an event still remembered today. In 2015 he purchased his Camaro, the “bruised banana”, and kept adding to the engine to give it more and more horsepower (supercharged and alcohol injected). In one of his last Facebook posts Doug wrote “How to stay financially stable in life – Step 1: Don’t get into cars – The end.” His neighbors will miss hearing his “bruised banana” coming and going.
Doug was a good storyteller and loved telling them. He also understood people and was eager to help satisfy their needs everywhere he lived. When he moved back to Utah in 2017, he brought his neighborhood together and found ways to serve and show his love.
At the family cabin in Petersen, Doug grew a love for trains and especially steam engines. During the 100 Year Celebration of the Driving of the Golden Spike he was really excited to go back to the area to see the Big Boy steam engine come to the event and return to Nebraska.
Doug will be missed by his family, life-long friends, his “peeps” (the children from his neighborhood), and beloved neighbors and friends who filled the last years of Doug’s life with great joy and cherished friendships. Buckley, his German Shepard also misses Doug.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society in Doug’s name.
Family and Friends are invited to meet together at the Sandy Utah Midvalley Stake Center (1106 East Old Dairy Road, Sandy) on Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 9:00 to 9:45 am. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 am.
Interment will be on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 10 am at Ogden City Cemetery (1875 Monroe Blvd, Ogden).
A recording of the FUNERAL SERVICE can be viewed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/a7MtQ9omOzrAbJd5MqsZ80rebrYeOK2UGGdq6HdvtMk3f1u3VKzelruLj1Bw76NDbUGZHBe2kt-_n0g.ePSx5p_IvBVP3Bv9?autoplay=true&startTime=1635434726000
A recording of the GRAVESIDE SERVICE can be viewed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/65_Gkt9EoS47FLL5yBZS2yjnMi7bcekjIZQDCAM7ruaZhfAn46QYU2P3KIakYybf.qt3Z38kI5RBP5aJa?startTime=1635608646000
I will miss your corny texts and conversations. My love and prayers to the family. I am saddened and still cannot believe he has moved on, but know he is trilled to be back with his sweetheart.
I am so sorry to hear about Doug. He was one of my first friends at the age of 4 years old. I spent many days with my Evans cousins who lived next to the Woolley family. Doug was always part of our activities. I will continue to think of him often.
I am left without words at hearing of Doug’s death. He was a great guy and had an even great sense of humor. He will be truly missed. Love and prayers for friends and family.
Officer Douglas G Woolley. Fairbanks Police Department. RIP warrior. You were a true friend, and a fine officer who his community well Gone but Never Forgotten
So very sorry to hear about Doug. He was just a year older than me. I wish I would have known him better, but I do remember visiting his family in Salt Lake City when just a young kid. My father, Russell, loved visiting his sister Maude and her family. My fondest memory is flirting with two slightly older young women thinking I was all that a bag of chips. Wish I could remember who they were. Sorry, I digressed. I'm pretty sure Doug and I were up to no good a time or two, that's boys for you.
I love the picture of Doug and his sweet ride. We must have the same blood type. Life is meant to be lived, and it looks like Doug lived one with excitement. Well done!
Seriously, happy trails, Doug. God bless you, your family, friends and loved ones. Till we meet again.
We send our condolences to the siblings and family of Doug. The legacy of the Woolley family in Utah influenced many of the grandchildren and perhaps especially Doug. He gave extremely generously to our effort to commemorate his great grandfather E. D. Woolley at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. His work in bettering the communities in which he lived with his own labor and philanthropic giving is a model we should all aspire to and for which he should be honored. Dave has fond memories of Doug as cousins growing up, perhaps as a fellow adventurous and crazy kid. (smile) We are so sorry to miss the funeral but will have him in our hearts.
Dave and Sharon Holmstrom
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your love one.
Brenda
I will miss Doug's smiling face and humor. I remember his family coming to the Ranch every weekend to build a cabin there. My duties and responsibilities was to make sure the horses were saddled and ready to ride for all the family. We have many fond memories of our child hood. I know his neighborhood will miss his pranks.
Cherish the memories. That is all we have.
Royal & Mary Lamb
A sad day, but many good memories. Doug had such a larger-than-life presence that a world without him just doesn’t seem possible. Fairbanks has not been the same since he left. My sympathy goes out to his family. Douglas G Woolley, a class act who will be sorely missed.
In Loving memory of Doug, So dearly loved, So sadly missed. God Bless everyone.
so sorry for your loss, he will be missed by many. rip sir
I am so saddened to hear of the death of my friend Doug. He had a genrous loving heart. He dealt with many health challenges for many years, yet he kept his spirits high. I will miss him. I am honored to call him my friend. I can imagine he is having a joyful reunion with his love Betsy and other family members.
Sincere condolences to family and friends.
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you move forward at such a difficult time.
Vince and Maddy
I am going to miss you buddy, lots of great memories on the Birch Hill Ski Patrol with you and watching ski movies and eating pizza at your house, you and Betsy are my kind of people, save me a spot on the chairlift so we can make some runs when we meet again on the other side, love you! Jim