1950 ~ 2014
Douglas Ray Scothorne, Jr., born December 7, 1950 in Kansas City, Missouri to Douglas R. Scothorne, Sr. and Phyllis June McConnell, passed away July 30, 2014 of Esophageal Adeno Carcinoma in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Jean Kimball Scothorne; his beloved son, Jack Scothorne; brother, Herb (Marilyn) Scothorne; many nieces, nephews, friends and his two cats, Buddy and Ziggy. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dianna Adams.
Doug grew up on Hardesty Avenue in Northeast Kansas City, Missouri. He often talked about his many childhood friends and about their adventures growing up in the 50's and 60's. He graduated from Northeast High School, class of '69. He was a great storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor. Oh, how he made me laugh. I loved how his blue eyes twinkled as the story unfolded or as he delivered the punch line. Such a quick wit. Doug was a man of many talents, many self-taught. He approached every new challenge with the attitude "How hard can it be?". He had many hobbies, some of which became streams of revenue for him over the years. He was a photographer, wood crafter, gunsmith, member of IPMS Plastic Modeler club, through which he won many awards. He did leather work, was a builder and was a voracious reader. He built custom tube amplifiers, and repaired guitars. He shot silhouettes competitively and loved deer hunting. Doug studied to become a Ham Radio Technician class operator, but did so well on the test, he took the next level test the same day. He received his General class license (KF7JOW), missing the Extra (highest) license designation by 3 questions. He was an avid collector and had an eye for the diamond in the rough. These hobbies netted him many lifelong friends.
Doug reinvented himself many times over the years. In his early 20's, he taught himself to play lead guitar and joined a band. He loved all genres of music from classical to country, with the exception of Rap. We often played a game we made up called "Who's this?". Not only did he usually know what the name of the song was, but the band's name, who was singing, who the drummer and guitarist were and sometimes what label they were under. I rarely won this game. His love for music continued throughout his life. Years later, after becoming friends with a client in Atlanta, who also happened to play lead guitar, Doug taught himself how to play bass guitar so that they could jam together.
Doug's early tinkering with cars led to a career as a mechanic working on big engine machines for Bob Cat. That knowledge led him to a career as a claims adjuster for Travelers Insurance. He traveled throughout Kansas and Missouri and relocated to San Antonio for a time with that job. He continued to do his own car repairs over the years and even as his health declined, he would instruct his son using the photos that Jack took of the problem to illustrate what to do to next.
As computers became more popular, Doug's interest and desire to work in that field flourished. He taught himself programming and learned many computer languages. He was relentless in his pursuit of a job at Radio Shack, who at the time was a leader in the industry. He worked as a programmer and diagnostician in their customer service department, asking all the hard questions like "Is it plugged in?". When Radio Shack decided to mimic IBM and require all the men to wear blue suits, white shirts, ties and have no facial hair, Doug had to make a decision. He willingly adhered to the dress code, but drew the line with having to shave off his mustache. Instead, he left the company, taking several clients with him and started his own computer consulting company which he named Kustom Services, so it would encompass all of his interests. He had clients all over the U.S. and even Canada. Many became lifelong friends.
I am Doug's third wife. I told him, "I dated people". but he "married them." He was married for five years each to Sharon Moore and Judy Scott. I never heard him say a bad word about his previous wives. I admired that. We were what he called a "mixed couple," not because of race or anything, but because I was the "tall girl" towering over him by four or five inches. We were married December 5, 1986, at the Independence Court House. On our 5th wedding anniversary I asked him what he planned to get me as a gift, and he jokingly said, "Traditionally, I give my wives divorces." Over the years I have been reminded, with that twinkle in his eye, that he could have turned me in multiple times for a different model.
On October 3, 1989, our Jack was born. Since Doug worked from home he took over as "Mr. Mom" when I returned to work. My female coworkers were so jealous that my husband did all the shopping, cooking, and carting of our son to and from daycare. He was a great dad. He wanted Jack to be prepared for anything in life, and taught him to think for himself, and be kind.
In 1993, we moved to Salt Lake City. Doug wanted a change and to live near mountains. Since I am from Salt Lake, it was a natural choice. He studied the area and soon knew more about Utah history and the geography than the locals.
In his youth, our son, Jack, converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Doug was very supportive and encouraged me to also attend as it was the faith of my youth. Doug was very spiritual, but didn't belong to any organized religion. However, ten years later, after much pondering and study, Doug was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Just prior to Jack going on a two year mission to Mexico for the Church, Doug and my marriage was solemnized in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple and we were sealed as a family for time and all eternity. Doug had a strong faith in God and for the plan of salvation. He held many callings, and was an excellent teacher. His testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel has been an inspiration to many.
We have been blessed beyond measure and I know that we will be reunited again. I am grateful for Doug, our life together, and celebrate this day, his life and his reunion in heaven with his family and friends that have gone before.
All my love, dear Doug
KF7JOW (Silent Key)
Viewings and funeral will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 5938 West 6200 South, Kearns, UT
August 8 (Friday), 6PM-8PM (Visitation by family and friends)
August 9 (Saturday), 10AM-10:45AM (Visitation by family and friends)
August 9 (Saturday), 11AM (Funeral Services)
Interment and final resting place until the resurrection:
Riverton City Cemetery, 13200 South 1500 West, just east of Redwood Road (Riverton, UT)