Douglas Bushnell

"Never get to be an old grandpa"!
This was his advice to everyone, once his decreased mobility started slowing him down.
Douglas R. Bushnell lived to be the "old grandpa" he warned everyone against becoming. He passed away Thursday, Dec. 18, at the home of his son, Neal, in Vancouver, WA. "Pop" was 93. He was born August 16, 1921, in Decatur, Ill., but grew up on a ranch in Hailey, ID, where he was known as "Bob".
Doug served in the navy for 7 years during WWII. He was on the U.S.S. Saratoga, in the south Pacific. He reveled in sharing stories of the myriad experiences he had & the places he saw.
He married Shirley Andersen in January, 1949. She preceded him in death after 58 years of marriage. He was her 24/7 caregiver for several years. Not once did he complain. "It's my turn" was all he had to say about it.
Doug graduated from Utah State University with a degree in wildlife management. He gave up his career-of-choice due to family considerations. Instead, he became a plumber for several years, followed by several years as a climate control technician.
He LOVED the outdoors – archery, hunting, backpacking, fishing & hiking. He was an "exercise-aholic”, going to Xcel Fitness 5-6 days a week, up until one year ago.
His FAVORITE pastime was being with his family. We were always his #1 priority. No father/grandfather ever enjoyed his family more than Pop did! One of his greatest regrets was "not being around to see what his great-grandchildren will accomplish".
Doug was generosity personified & a total people person. He could, and did, strike up conversations with anyone, anywhere! He will be sorely missed by his family, innumerable friends & acquaintances. We can't say enough about the impact he had on the lives of so many.
Pop is survived by an adoring family: daughter, Shauna Killpack, (Jon), Murray, UT; son, Neal Bushnell (Joan), Vancouver, WA; sisters, Bebe Robertson, Wendell, ID, & Betty Butler, Ogden, UT; 6 grandchildren: Kari K. Hansen, Stephanie K. Pursglove, Trisha K. Bush, Amber K. Petrogeorge, Jessica Bushnell & Shane Bushnell; & 13 great-grandchildren.
Love, heartfelt thanks & appreciation to his son, Neal, who has been his 24/7 caregiver for the past 10 months! Love & thanks also to Lee Ann, Joan, Rachael & Makayla, who loved & helped care for Pop.
Viewings will be held Sun., Dec. 28, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., & again at 10:00 a.m. Monday morning, Dec. 29th, at Holladay Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay, UT.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, Dec. 29, also at Cottonwood Mortuary. Pop will then be laid to rest in Holladay Memorial Cemetery, 4900 Memory Lane, Holladay, UT. (Just east of the old Cottonwood Mall).
We miss you, Pop, but will love you FOREVER!