Douglas Franklin Day

Douglas Franklin Day passed away on August 5, 2021. Born on August 18, 1928 in Cedar City, Utah to Harmon Eastman Day and Phoebe McConnell Day. He was raised on the family dairy farm in Draper, Utah where he learned to work hard together with his family milking cows, thinning and hoeing sugar beets, raising hay, wheat, corn, and barley. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1946. While in High School he sang in a group that called themselves, “The Missionary Chorus” who traveled to different LDS congregations with their music. Members of this group remained friends and continued to meet for decades. Doug loved to sing and joined church choirs for most of his life. His kids often commented that they could recognize his singing from any part of the chapel.

Doug met his eternal sweetheart, Josephine Cottam and they were married on June 20, 1947 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Draper’s second house, now on the Draper Historical registry. It was built by his great grandfather, Henry Eastman Day in 1851. Together they raised 6 children, later moving to Granger where they built a beautiful home in the Westshire neighborhood and then to Cornerstone after Doug’s retirement. With Doug’s easy manner and humorous personality, he made many wonderful and enduring friendships.

Doug worked for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, starting in 1954 as a truck driver and game warden; later driving a Snow Cat and piloting an airplane. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1963 which furthered his career and earned the position of Personnel Officer and later Assistant Director. He became DWR’s Utah Division Director in 1978 and retired in 1984. Utah’s Wildlife Division was, during his time, nationally recognized as a top professional wildlife organization. He loved the work and once said that “He got paid for hunting and fishing and his horse got paid too,” since, as part of his job he regularly took legislators and other officials camping, hunting and fishing around the state, in support of DWR. Doug was also involved with the National and Utah Public Employees Associations, serving in their Executive Leadership for several years. He also founded the Utah Wildlife Coalition. In 1984, Doug received the Wildlife Professional of The Year Award for the 13 Western States.

Doug loved his horses and spent many hours on his family’s farm in Bluffdale, UT after his retirement, taking great pride in caring for the land. He loved to ride, camp, fish, hunt, and anytime spent in the Utah mountains, enjoying it most when he got to take family and friends along.

Doug was a kind and generous person, visiting and helping others as he saw a need. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as a young man to the Southern States Mission, receiving permission to serve even though he was married and had a 4 month old child, as was the custom at the time. Jo also traveled east to the Washington D.C. area to stay with her parents for 2 years and worked to help support him financially. After retirement, Doug and Jo served 2 missions together, first to South Yorkshire, England in 1987, where they made many lifelong friendships. In 1997 they also served in Durban, South Africa where Jo’s sisters and spouses were also serving. Doug held many church callings, most influentially as Scout Master for many years.

In a talk written about his love of temple work, Doug stated: “I’m looking forward to meeting Olaius, a Passamaquoddy Indian …and Davie Crockett…” We think they will all have a good laugh and enjoy swapping stories of their many adventures.

His family will remember him affectionately and will most assuredly continue to share his funny one liners, tell stories and share memories regarding their love for their father, husband, and grandfather. We imagine the joyful reunion with his son John, parents, siblings, friends, horses, and dogs, who will undoubtably light his way.

Doug is preceded in death by his son John Douglas, his parents, brothers: James Harmon and Elias John (Jack), and sisters: Ramona Day Greer, Norma Day King Dunn, Delores Day Boberg. He is survived by his wife: Josephine. His children: Craig (Gloria), Susan Day Winkler (Jim), Christine Day, Carolyn Day Hamel, and Steven (Patti). His foster son Robert Begay will forever hold a special place in our family. Doug was the proud grandparent of 16 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren.

A viewing and funeral service will be held to celebrate his life at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095. Viewing on Monday, August 16 from 6:00 – 8:00pm and on Tuesday, August 17 from 10:00 – 10:45am, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00am and Graveside immediately following at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd, (10600 S.,) Sandy.