Services where held Thursday in West Weber, Utah for former Quarter Horse trainer Donald Gary Douglas.

© Courtesy Myers Mortuary

WEST WEBER, UT–MARCH 2, 2024–Services were held Thursday (Feb 29) for longtime horseman Donald Gary Douglas, 81, who passed away February 23, 2024, from complications associated with Alzheimer's Disease.

Gary was born August 2, 1942, the oldest of four children. He was born and raised in Ogden and attended Ogden and Ben Lomond High Schools. After high school, he served in the Army Reserves. He worked in many capacities throughout his life and retired from Hill Air Force Base in 2007.

Gary was sealed to his sweetheart, Karlene, on August 28, 1964, in the Salt Lake Temple. They have been married for 59 years. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout his life and served in various callings. He enjoyed serving in the temple and being a leader in the young men’s program as well as the boy scouts.

Known for his sense of humor, Gary was always teasing the grandkids and cracking jokes. He loved to poke and prod anyone close by. Fun and hard work were two of his best attributes. He could usually be found outside camping, hunting, fishing or riding horses. An avid cowboy, Gary rode bulls and loved to follow the rodeo. His greatest love, outside of his family, were his horses.

He was a talented Quarter Horse trainer and made a living doing just that for 17 years of his life. As a trainer he won many futurities and derbies as well as earning the title of Trainer of the Year in 1981. He also won multiple divisions and futurities during his years racing chariot teams.

One of Gary’s favorite places to travel to was Yellowstone and he made sure his family went every year. On almost any trip Gary made sure those who traveled with him knew how much he loved listening to Shania Twain on the drive.

Gary loved sports; he grew up playing basketball and fast pitch softball. He was a leftie and made sure you knew how much better that made him. He coached all his boys in almost every sport they played.

He loved the Utah Jazz and had season tickets for many years. One of his greatest joys in life was attending all his grandchildren’s sporting events and if he missed a game, you could bet something terrible must have happened.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents Donald James (Dixie) and Lida (Wayne) Bingham; sisters Sonya Harbertson and Karen Hammer; and sister-in-law Cathy White.

He is survived by his wife, Karlene; sons: Shawn (Jani), Shane (Heidi), and Scott (Erin); brothers-in-law Ed Harbertson, Norm Hammer, and Dennis White; brother Clyde (Judy), and sister Pam Hampton. He was the proud grandfather of 7 grandchildren: Kyle (Aubree), Jacee (Bowen) Koenig, Pacen (Cassidy), Kolt (Texie), Bryant, Halle, and Lane and 2 great-grandchildren: Kynslee and Swayde.

The family would like to thank the many nurses and caregivers of Inspiration Hospice and the Lodge of North Ogden.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the Alzheimer's Association. Services were under the direction of Myers Mortuary & Cremation Services.