William Douglas Stout

Doug Stout was born at home on June 16, 1933, in Edinburgh, Scotland to Bill and Dolly Stout. Doug was the eldest child in the family, with a brother, Stuart coming along in 1939. 1939 saw the beginning of World War II and Doug’s father being called up to serve in the Army. During this time Doug attended Balgreen School, the local primary school in the neighborhood. Doug was a good student and with encouragement from his teacher, applied himself well, and eventually won a scholarship to one of the better schools in Edinburgh, George Heriot’s School for Boys. 

After the war, the hope that lives would resume and everything would be as it had been, was not to be. So, the Stouts and other family members began to make serious preparations to move. It was decided that they were going to Zion, meaning Salt Lake City. So, after much preparation, anticipation and a long journey, the family arrived in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 2, 1949, General Conference weekend. 

In Salt Lake City, Doug attended South High School. Although things were quite different in America, going to a school with girls was a new experience. Doug, being a sociable person, adapted easily. He enjoyed many activities in school including singing with the South High A-Capella Choir. Doug’s family enjoyed singing so this seemed like a natural activity for him. In his senior year, much to his surprise, he was elected Senior Class President. No surprise really, a cute guy with a cute Scottish accent, what’s not to like! For years he enjoyed his relationship with the class committee, especially organizing Class Reunions. The last reunion for the class of ‘51 was the 65th Reunion, entitled “65 and Still Alive!” 

After graduation, Doug worked and attended the University of Utah. Then in 1953, during the Korean Conflict, he was inducted into the US Army. Although he was not yet a citizen of the United States, he was still required to serve in the military. Doug was first stationed in Ft Lewis Washington. After some months, he felt bored and put in for a transfer. He said the Army was like playing Boy Scouts for grown-ups and wanted more excitement. However, we have to remember, he was not in combat serving in Korea! The opinion of his friends serving with him at Ft. Lewis was that he was crazy and would be sent to Korea. But luck was on his side! Not long after, a clerk from the office came running down the hallway shouting, “Stout, Stout, you’re going to Germany.” Right away, a bunch of buddies were putting in for transfers! He spent the rest of his service in Germany, thoroughly enjoying it. In September 1954 while in Germany, he did receive his citizenship to the United States. He was released from the Army on April 13, 1955. 

After returning from the Army, he enrolled at the University of Utah, worked and got married. Doug married his high school girlfriend, Magaret ‘Billie’ Miller in August 1955 in the Salt Lake Temple. Doug studied art and sculpture at the University of Utah. While at the ‘U’ he became particularly interested in design from a visiting professor. After graduation, he received a scholarship from that professor to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. There they raised four children with many trips home to Salt Lake to see family. 

After receiving his MFA at IIT, he went to work with General Motors in Detroit as an automotive designer. He loved what he was doing and felt it was a very progressive time for automotive design. After a few years he was excited for the opportunity to work at Ford Motor Company, also in Detroit. After some time at Ford Motor Company, Doug was interested in moving on and took a position as a designer with Mattel Toys in California, much to his children’s delight. During his first year at Mattel, Doug received visits from the Dean of the College of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University asking if Doug knew of any designers who might be interested in coming to BYU to help begin a design program. After a few meetings with the Dean, Doug realized the Dean was interested in him for the position. So, after about one year at Mattel, Doug and his family moved to Provo where they added another child to the mix. Doug continued to work at BYU for 29 years. During this time Billie and Doug divorced. 

With Doug and other colleagues, the design department grew successfully, and even established an automotive program that flourished for some years. As well as being highly creative, Doug was also an excellent administrator. He was appointed Chairman three times while in the College of Fine Arts, once in the Art Department, and twice in the Design Department. In 1977 he received his PhD from the University of Utah in Educational Administration. 

In 1990 Doug married Jannette Sanford who brought seven children to the marriage, with the three youngest being raised in the home by Doug and Jannette. They have enjoyed thirty-three wonderful years of marriage happily in love. In 1993, Doug was the Director of the BYU London Study Abroad program for six months which was a major highlight in the lives of the family. With many similar interests, Doug and Jannette have traveled together, attended many cultural activities, sports events, family activities and just loved being together. 

After retirement, Doug took up furniture building, became an expert woodturner, sang in choirs, and read many books. Doug was always learning, always busy, highly creative, involved in many things, and fun to be with. He loved and enjoyed being with his family and was always interested in their activities. He has always been a very active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in Bishoprics, Branch Presidencies, and High Councils, with his favorite calling of all being music coordinator. He loved the gospel. Doug loved America and was proud to be a citizen, but he always remembered and loved his native country, Scotland (with some Irish thrown in!). Scotland was also Jannette’s native country so traveling there together was an enjoyable part of their lives. 

For the past five years, Doug has bravely battled the demons of dementia while being lovingly, and graciously cared for by Jannette, and on Friday, July 12, 2024, he passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and daughter by his side. 

Doug is survived by his wife Jannette, 11 Children: W. Bryan (Meg) Stout, Gregory D. (Kelli) Stout, Steven P. Stout, Jennifer (Dennis) Moxon, Kirk (Rachel) Sanford, Brett (Shannon) Sanford, Chris (Kristin) Sanford, Zhalore Averett, Ryan (Zenica) Sanford, Lisa Allman, Karen (Nate) Canen. 45 Grandchildren: Tara (David) Phillips, Beth Stout, Annie (Tim) Palmer, Amber Terry, Camille Stout, Kayla Stout Jordan (Mikaela) Stout, Erica Stout, Nick (Steph) Clark, Preston Clark, D. Scott Moxon, Joseph (Hannah) Moxon, Jacqueline Moxon, Morgan (Kevin) Renfroe, McLane Sanford, Duncan Sanford, Hannah Sanford, Andrew (Tatem) Sanford, Jenna Sanford, James Sanford, Caleb (Katie) Sanford, Anna (Braxton) Francom, Elana Sanford, Meredith Sanford, Paige Sanford, Jackson Averett, Sydney Averett, Alex Sanford, Connor Sanford, Hayden Sanford, Andelyne Sanford, Chandler Allman, Colton Allman, Cameron Allman, Brookelynn Canen, Hailey Canen. And 22 Great Grandkids: Tegarion Phillips, Gwn Phillips, Juniper Palmer, Asher Terry, Lina Terry, Ethan Terry. Mattix Hatch, Davyn Hatch, Beckett Hatch. Liliana Stout, McClane Moxon, Rusty Moxon, Hazel Moxon, Adeline Renfroe, Ella Renfroe, Olivia Renfroe, Henry Belyeu, Ayla Sanford, Maylie Sanford, Cora Sanford, Logan Sanford, Lila Sanford. He was Preceded in Death by his parents, his Daughter Elizabeth Clark, and his grandsons Douglas Moxon and Arthur Stout and a granddaughter Elizabeth Sanford. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the Orem Sharon 2nd Ward, 641 South 400 East, Orem, Utah, where a viewing will be held Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Monday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment- Orem City Cemetery. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.