Douglas Wallace Blackett August 13, 1947 - March 28, 2026

Douglas Wallace Blackett, age 78, passed away on March 28, 2026, after a courageous battle with dementia. He passed peacefully in the arms of his wife of 54 years, Dianne.

Doug was born on August 13, 1947, in Spanish Fork, Utah to Fawn Argyle and Wallace Blackett, the fourth of seven children. The family moved to Provo where he graduated from Provo High and upon graduation served in the US Army as an Army Ranger. It was at this point where he developed a deep sense of patriotism and love for his country. Whenever the flag was raised or the anthem played, there was a tear in his eye.

Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he served faithfully as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Florida and the Southern States. He then attended UVU and BYU, where he met his eternal companion, Dianne Ward. She quickly recognized he was “one of the good ones.” They were married six months later in the Manti Temple. Together with their four beloved daughters, they built a home filled with love for each other, service, faith in the Lord, laughter, and many fun times. He taught his girls how to ski, hunt and fish, ride horses and never missed a chance to load up the truck for a camping trip. His children and grandchildren listened with delight as he recounted stories of being in the “high country”, recalling how he got the best of a deer or elk, or simply breaking into his funny rhymes and made-up language. Sweet times with family were everything. They all loved to be around him. His many friends and acquaintances also recognized he was honest and unpretentious in his relationships. He did not know how to be anything else but who he was.

Doug lived a full life of adventure, but his happy place was riding his horse with family members, herding cows, discovering new trails and being among the wonders of God’s creations. He was a simple man of strength and integrity. He was incapable of telling a lie or being dishonest. You always knew where you stood with him. He worked for more than 40 years for National Small Business as a district manager and made thousands of friends as he traveled the state. He was a hunting guide with Bucks and Bulls for 30 years. Everywhere he went, he would meet a friend he had made through his many travels. Together, he and Dianne took great joy in traveling around watching the grandchildren compete in sporting events, graduations, marriages, births, temple trips or whatever was happening. Life was not based on monetary pursuits but rather the sweet memories made with loved ones. He knew time was the most precious gift he could give his family.

He will be remembered for his strength, devotion to family and as a loyal friend. He was a champion for the underdog, seeking out those who were in need and giving unselfishly where he could. His faith in his God never wavered and was the guiding light his entire life. He served in many church callings, but especially enjoyed working with the youth. He served in the bishopric of a BYU Ward and with Dianne as service missionaries at the Bishop Storehouse. Faith, family, and freedom were the values he believed were worth living and dying for. Teaching this to his family was his greatest desire and a true measure of his success as a husband, father, and grandfather.

As his memory faded, and his strength declined, recalling one of his treasured stories became a source of love that would bring a smile to our faces. The support and kindness from his family and friends sustained him until the end. Grandpa Doug will be greatly missed but what he stood for and how he lived will be treasured forever.

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Dianne; daughters: Kimberly Park (Ben), Michelle Loveridge (Jeremy), Lori Norman (Koby), Brooke Vernon (JayDee); thirteen grandchildren, two grandchildren-in-law, and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his five sisters and one brother.

Funeral services will be held on Monday morning, April 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour before from 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salem LDS West Stake Center, 695 South 300 West, Salem, Utah 84653. Interment will be at the Salem City Cemetery, 965 South 140 East Salem, Utah, 84653.