St. George Utah – It is with profound love that we announce the passing of Douglas R. Coombs, a cherished husband, devoted father, and beloved friend, who finished his work here on Earth on July 31, 2024.

Born on February 26, 1945, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Vivian Holman and Morgan Coombs, Doug grew up the youngest of six siblings. He described his childhood home as one full of music and happiness, with loving parents who taught him about his Savior. He had a particularly special relationship with his older brother Scott who has special needs. Caring for and protecting Scott while growing up taught Doug a lot of wonderful traits, such as patience, kindness, and looking out for the weak and vulnerable. These qualities reflected in the kind of man and physician he was throughout his life. Since the passing of his parents, Scott, who turned 84 last week, has been wonderfully taken care of by all of his siblings. For the last several years, it has been an honor to witness Doug care for his brother with Christ-like love and tenderness.

When Doug was a young man, his parents were called to be mission leaders in Australia. Although Doug was only 17, he inquired if he could begin his mission and received a call to Southern Australia under President Bruce R. McConkie. Upon returning home, Doug decided to follow in his father's footsteps to pursue a career in medicine. After completing a bachelor's degree at the University of Utah, he attended medical school at Wake Forest University. Because of his natural way with children and babies, he chose a path in pediatrics. His own children remember the days when most of their friends were his patients. He was a kind and gentle physician who knew how to make his young patients smile and feel at ease. There was never a baby that he couldn't soothe; he truly was a baby whisperer. Dr. Coombs became a beloved name in Bountiful, treating generations of families.

After completing medical school, which was during the Vietnam War, Doug committed to serve in the military. It was a great honor for Doug, as a physician, to serve military families in San Diego and Oakland California. He has a deep love for his country and respect for the men and women who serve to protect our freedoms. After his military obligations were fulfilled, he later served in the Utah Army National Guard and was promoted to the rank of colonel because of his exemplary service and leadership abilities.

In between medical school and residency, Doug met the love of his life, Janna Faust, on a blind date. It was a fast and furious courtship, as Doug had no time to waste. He was soon heading out to San Diego for a military medical internship. He proposed to Janna after only two weeks of knowing her, and though she couldn't say yes right away, it didn't take long for her to realize that she didn't want to lose him. Their beautiful relationship became a love story for the ages. Together, they nurtured an environment of warmth, laughter, and unwavering support for each other and for their four children: James, Melissa, Jason, and Cory.

Doug has always had an adventurous spirit, a wanderlust to explore new places, and a curiosity to try new things. He loved to plan trips with his wife Janna and took her all over the world. He also loved the mountains and made many core memories with his children backpacking in the Wind Rivers and fly-fishing in the Sawtooth mountains. He greatly enjoyed riding motorcycles and ATVs and exploring backroads around the western United States. For many years, he looked forward to annual recovery rides on the Bear Tooth scenic highway. He also loved skiing in the Utah snow, golfing with his friends or family, and attending University of Utah football and basketball games. Everyone that knew Doug knew of his deep loyalty to Utah sports. So contagious is his enthusiasm, that all of his kids and grandkids join in the Ute hysteria. It has become an overarching bond in the growing Coombs family.

Doug is a man of deep faith. He has a personal relationship with his Savior and a strong testimony of the Atonement. He knew his ancestors and felt their influence at times in his life. In 2016, he and Janna served a church service assignment for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through Brigham Young University to the Holy Lands. They were assigned to find and visit members of the church that were scattered across the region, to let them know that they are known and loved by the brethren of the church, and to find out how to help them with their own personal worship. Doug was called to serve as the district president. He wore many hats, but never lost sight of his most important responsibility testifying of the Lord's great love for the Saints there. Janna would often say it was the greatest adventure of their lives.

One of the greatest legacies that Doug has left his posterity, is the exemplary way in which he loved Janna. Later in life, Janna developed a debilitating neuropathy (CIDP) which made it difficult for her to perform basic tasks. Doug, with the most nurturing disposition, has lovingly cared for Janna for the last several years. He was her hands and feet and treated her like it was his privilege to take care of her. He learned how to apply her makeup and do her hair the way that she liked, prepared and fed her meals, drove her to all of her appointments, and treated her with the upmost love and respect. Sprinkling in his charming humor, Doug made everything fun. We all are better people from knowing Doug and being a witness to how deeply he loved Janna.

Along with the love of his life, Janna, Doug is survived by his brother Scott, his four children James (Lori), Melissa (Jamison), Jason (Brin), and Cory (Jessica), and his 15 grandchildren Morgan (Erica), Jacob (Olivia), Henry, Elsie, Brandon, Dallin (Makayla), Ethan, Malynn, Colton, Nathan, Radin, Indie May, Landon, Emmett, and Savannah. He is preceded in death by his parents Morgan and Vivian Coombs, his siblings Patricia Ann, Shirley (Lou), Robert (Carol Jean), and Jackie (Loren).

Doug Coombs will forever be a beacon of love and strength for his family and friends. We know, with a surety, that he is with his Savior and loved ones, and we will be reunited with him soon.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 9, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at the Stone Cliffs Ward 1762 S. River Rd. St George, Utah 84790.  A visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to services.

Interment will be on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 1:00 PM. at the Holladay Memorial Park Cemetery, 4900 S. Memory Lane. in Salt Lake City, Utah 84117.

Services will be live streamed at the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92545190397