Douglas Gentry Woolley

Nov. 19, 1951 ~ Oct. 24, 2021

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).

For those who wish to join the FUNERAL SERVICE via Zoom, may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83238991613 For those who wish to join the GRAVESIDE SERVICE via Zoom, may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87871691722

Please note that a Zoom account is necessary to enter. For those who do not have a zoom account, when clicking the link, a dialogue box will appear. Click on "sign up" and follow the prompts from Zoom. If there are any questions, please call Larkin Mortuary to walk you through the process. No passcode required. Host will begin meeting 5 minutes prior to services. Access to mic and camera will not be given. A recording of the services can be accessed and downloaded by the end of the day.