Douglas C. Birrell

1969-2021 in Loving Memory

Salt Lake City, Utah—Douglas C. Birrell, 51, passed away on March 7, 2021 with his wife by his side after bravely battling cancer. Doug was born on June 17, 1969 in Redondo Beach, California. He was a beloved and devoted father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend.

Doug graduated from Manti High School in 1987. After he graduated, he served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santiago, Chile. He attended Snow College, the University of Utah and graduated at the top of his class from the Utah College of Massage Therapy in 1993. Doug first worked with the Alta Club Fitness Center through Body by Banks and afterward owned his own massage therapy company D. Birrell & Co. After private contracting with Karl Malone, John Stockton and others for 5 years, he was officially hired as the team massage therapist for the Utah Jazz and worked with the team for 21 years. He has loved and cherished the team and staff members he has worked with throughout his career.

Doug's family was his pride and joy. Married in the Manti Temple, Doug and his wife, Melissa, enjoyed 26 years together and raised 3 beautiful daughters. They loved traveling and spending time together. Devoted service in his church brought him great happiness. He was a great man of faith with a powerful belief and testimony of Jesus Christ. He was outgoing, kind, genuine and had a gift for listening to and counseling others. One of Doug's favorite pastimes was running, particularly in all the different states and countries where he traveled. Doug will be sorely missed, leaving behind many loving friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Melissa, daughters: Samantha, Haley and Grace, siblings: Jeff, Melissa and Kara and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Preceded in death by parents Cliff and Shirley Birrell, and two oldest siblings Dana and Mark Birrell.

Viewing will be held on Friday, March 12, 9:00am-10:45am. The funeral service will follow at 11:00am, both held at LDS meeting house, 3100 E. Craig Dr., SLC, UT, 84109. Face masks and social distancing will be observed. Interment will be at Memorial Holladay Cemetery in Holladay, Utah.

To attend funeral service remotely, use live stream link: http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/saltlakeeastmillcreekstake

The direct link is also on the Premier Funeral Services site.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at Mountain America Credit Union under Melissa Birrell, the Birrell Family Memorial Fund or Venmo @Melissa-Birrell.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Mar. 10 to Mar. 14, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Doug Birrell

11 Entries

Rodrigo fuentes b

November 21, 2021

a great loss, it was the one that motivated me to go to church here in Chile, a great loving kind person, a big hug to his family

Zachery K

March 22, 2021

Doug was my neighbor and he was always kind to me. he would always come over while working on my cars. A truly beautiful soul!

Shayne w

March 14, 2021

I will always remember chatting with Doug at our daughter's soccer games. Loved to talked with him about the soccer team and the Jazz. He was always happy and had something funny to say. Take care of those ladies from the heavens. Godspeed

Amy Ellis Peterson

March 13, 2021

I met Doug while going to the same student ward in college. Doug was outgoing, fun & entered every room with a smile! It was great to be his friend in those days as he was finishing massage therapy school & would give his friends massages for cheap! It was so cute to see him light up whenever he talked about Melissa as they started dating & then were married! In the last 20 years, my husband Phill & I only saw Doug a few times at Jazz games or the airport, but every time you knew you'd get a huge smile & huge hug! Doug had a talent for making others happy & making them feel important. He was a genuinely good, kind person!

Lisa Dengg

March 13, 2021

I am heartbroken to hear that Doug has passed on. He was a longtime friend. He was in our singles ward and was a friend from the time that he lived with the Boam family. He even took me, as a friend, to one of my high school dances (as a favor to John Paulson) when I had no-one to go with, even though he was a returned missionary. I have lots of fun and funny memories with he, Jay Greenburg my brothers Jay & Dave Lund and my Ellis cousins. Most of all, I remember visiting the two of you as newlyweds and boy how he loved you Melissa! He was so happy and content and proud of you! IU know he adored & loved you Melissa & your kids so much. What a great guy. I will miss him and his contagious laugh. My heart is with you and your family, Lisa (Lund) Dengg

Amy Zenger

March 12, 2021

We are super fans of Doug! We will miss him. Our hearts and thoughts are with your wonderful family. Love, Amy, Joel, and the Zengers

Craig Bolerjack

March 12, 2021

Doug was one of the most genuine people I've ever known. Warm, kind, a man of humor and faith. Doug, I'll miss you pal. The plane and bus rides and the smile. God Bless you and your wonderful family
Boler

Erik Macaulay

March 12, 2021

Sorry for your loss. I met him through his travels with the team - he was a genuine soul, and lived loving kindness

Hilary Linton

March 10, 2021

I count myself as truly blessed to have known Doug. Because of my friendship with his wife, our families were able to spend time together in Disneyland a few years ago. We had so much fun together. His kindness, charisma, and friendliness was contagious. He made us feel like we had been best friends for years when we had only just met him. I’ll cherish those memories.

Melissa, Samantha, Haley and Grace, we love you more than you know. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Peter Breinholt

March 10, 2021

I had the privilege of being a missionary with Doug and having occasional contact with him through the decades afterwards. My favorite memory was doing splits one day in his area of Santiago called Peñalolen. He was clearly the most popular guy in the neighborhood - kids running up to shake his hand constantly, people yelling "Birrell!" from inside their shops as he walked by, etc. He attracted people everywhere he went, so we started calling him "The King of Peñalolen". We love Doug and will miss him and are so very sorry about your loss.

Debra Main

March 10, 2021

I had the honor of knowing Doug from traveling with the team as one of their flight attendants. I know I speak for all of the crew members when I say how happy we were when Doig walked on the plane with that beautiful smile! He was always kind, friendly, appreciative and respectful of us. We will miss him dearly.

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