Carolyn McDougal

Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, Carolyn Coats McDougal, age 86, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, on August 15, 2025, in West Jordan, Utah. 

Carolyn was born on November 28, 1938, in Murray, Utah to William J. and Marjorie Harman Coats. 

She grew up on the Coats family farm in Granger, Utah with her four brothers and sister; Arch, LaVarr, Gerry, Steve, and Betty Anderson. Life for Carolyn was always about family. She spent her entire life looking out for her family on both sides of the veil. As a dedicated family historian, Carolyn wrote and compiled numerous family histories as gifts. Her genealogy and temple work have provided the means for countless families to be united through the eternities. 

Carolyn was sealed to the love of her life and eternal companion, Richard Nephi McDougal in the Salt Lake Temple on January 27, 1961. They are the proud parents of five children; Mark, Becky, Doug, Debbie, and John (deceased). In life they were never separated in purpose or service and now they are reunited after 13 years apart since her beloved Richard passed from this life. 

As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Carolyn held numerous church callings. None exemplified Carolyn's discipleship more than her years as Ward Compassionate Service Leader. She always fondly remembered her missionaries from the time that she and Richard spent as Mission President in the Michigan Lansing Mission. She also cherished the time that she spent serving in the Jordan River Utah Temple. 

Known for her home cooked meals, quilts, and crafts, she was the consummate homemaker. Sundays were always a day to attend church and gather, as a family, for Sunday dinner at her home. It was not uncommon for guests, visitors at church, and friends, to be invited to Sunday dinner with the family. Carolyn and Richard loved to travel and always made it a point to include their brothers and sisters in their travel plans. Outings at the cabin in Midway, Utah were never complete unless they were shared with others. To Carolyn, prayer was as much a part of life as breathing, one could no more live the next moment without prayer than live the next moment without a breath of air. She was a student of the gospel and considered scripture study a lifelong pursuit. Even when her health prohibited her from attending formal church meetings, she continued her Come Follow Me studies at home. 

She is survived by her children: Mark (Valerie), Becky (Tom) Greene, Doug (Michelle), Debbie (Gary) Bushman; 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; brother, Steve (Pat) Coats. Preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents; son, John; siblings, Arch (Fairie), LaVarr (Marilyn, Gerry (Nina), Betty (Allen) Anderson; sister-in-law, Vickie Coats. 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 12:00 noon, West Jordan Mountain View Stake Center, 2991 West 9000 South, West Jordan, Utah. Viewings will be held Friday, 6-8 pm at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah, and Saturday, at the church from 10-11:30 am. Interment, Valley View Memorial Estates.