Jay Douglas Stauffer; 11/13/48 – 07/03/09

Whether you knew him as Doug, Jay, or JD, you knew him as a kind man with a generous heart. In the end, it was his heart that failed him. Jay Douglas Stauffer died July 3, 2009, of a heart attack.

Doug was born November 13, 1948 in Ogden Utah to Lee H. and Helen Rouse Stauffer. He grew up in South Ogden where he forged life-long friendships. He graduated from Bonneville High School and from Weber State College. He served an LDS mission to France and served in the U.S. Army. Doug was employed by Rocky Mountain Power and worked most of his career until retirement at the Gadsby Power Plant as a steam operator and then as a board operator. Like everything else Doug did, he formed lasting friendships among his co-workers.

Doug never met a sport he didn’t like. His passions early in life were baseball and football. Later on he became a fanatic for hockey, both as a player, a team organizer, a coach, and as a fan. Doug held an equal passion for music of all sorts, including a surprising love for and knowledge of opera.

Doug was married to Becky Griffin Stauffer on July 5, 1979. They were recently divorced, but remained friends to the end of his life. Doug and Becky were the parents of one daughter, Jennifer, who was the light and joy of his life. Doug also helped to raise his stepsons and was a loving kind father to them as if they were his own. Not enough can be said of those good years filled with fun and adventure for the kids.

Doug made no enemies in life. Everyone loved him. The world loses a good soul in his passing. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Lynn Stauffer, his brother Robert David Stauffer (Terol), his step-sons Jeffery Strate, Steven Strate (Simone), and Eric Strate, five grandchildren, his ex-wife Becky, his friend Jayme, many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and older brother, Richard.

Per Doug’s wishes there will be no public viewing or funeral. A public gathering will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, from 6 to 8 p.m. where anyone who desires may meet with the family and share reminiscences of this good man. To honor Doug’s memory, he always asked that people do something fun instead of a funeral or flowers for him. Attend a hockey game or an opera in his memory.

(Published in the Salt Lake Tribune and the Ogden Standard Examiner on July 7, 2009)