Doug Holgate

 John Douglas Holgate age 73, passed away of cancer peacefully at his home in Altonah, with his loving family by his side on Wednesday, December 13, 2017.
Doug was born August 28,1944, in the new Roosevelt Hospital. He is the sixth of eight children born to Frank Leo & Leona Eldorus Bell Holgate, and the first of the family to be born in a hospital.  Growing up in Myton and Arcadia, Doug graduated from Union High School. He later attended Utah Trade Technical College before joining the U.S. Coast Guard. He attended basic training in Honolulu, Hawaii. His duty took him through the South Pacific, to Mekong Delta, followed by a year at the Con Son Island Loran Station in Vietnam.  Upon arriving home, he married Sherrie Reay Jessen of Altonah, spending 49 years by her side.
Taking his new bride, they traveled to Detroit, Michigan, where he finished the last 18 months of duty at St. Clair Shores Coast Guard Station.  After an honorable discharge from military service they returned to the Basin settling in Altonah where they purchased Sherrie's grandparent’s home and raised their family.
Those who knew Doug appreciated his happy and positive good nature.  He loved people and would do anything for anyone.  Doug never met a stranger.  He loved his family with all his heart and was proud of each and every one of them. Early in his youth he began milking cows and working in hay fields.  He continued to work hard for his entire life.  When he was a teenager he worked at a service station in Roosevelt.  After graduating from high school, he served four years in the military.  When service with the military was complete, he worked for T&D Construction and Chevron Pipeline before getting his General Building Contractor license.  He spent the remainder of his life doing construction work, which included new construction and remodeling.  He is well known for his beautiful and creative wood work.
Doug lived a life of service.  He served in various callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including the office of Bishop.  His favorite calling was teaching Primary age 10-12 year-old boys.  He loved these boys and they loved him back.  Doug and Sherrie served an LDS Service Mission for 18 months at Heber Valley Camp. They served in the Vernal, Utah Temple as ordinance workers.  Doug spent many hours of service to his community including the park, rodeo grounds, community celebrations and  4-H programs . Doug was a very active member of the American Legion Toyack Post 53, he was instrumental in the  development and completion of the Upper Country Veterans Memorial.    He also served on the Board of Directors for  Duchesne County School District, Moon Lake Electric, Deseret Power, Blue Mountain Energy, and Utah Rural Electric Association.
Doug is survived by his wife Sherrie; children, Melissa (Nick) Justice, Altonah; Camille (Brad) Jenkins, Roosevelt; Serena (Randy) Brotherson, Boneta; fourteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Joann (Ken) Walker, Ivans; Cleo (Stan) Stevenson, Sun City, AZ; Nonalee (Gary) Goodrich, Bluebell; Susan (Mike) Johnson, Farmington; brothers, Laurence F. “Bud” (Carol) Holgate, South Jordan; Brent Loyd (Connie) Holgate, Altonah; mother-in-law, Beth Jessen, Altonah; and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Jeannie Reay; parents, Frank & Leona Holgate; sisters, Elva Zaragoza, Gwen Funk; and father-in-law, G. Reay Jessen.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the people of hospice and the Veteran’s Clinic in Roosevelt, and the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City.  
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Moon Lake LDS Chapel.  Viewings will be held on Monday, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the church and Tuesday, December 19, 2017 from 10:00-10:45 am prior to the funeral services.  
Burial will be in the Altamont Cemetery with Military Honors presented by the Altamont American Legion, Coast Guard Honor Guard and the Patriot Guard Riders.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Upper Country Veterans Memorial through Mountain America Credit Union.  To do this, please visit your local branch or call 435-722-1593.