Douglas E West

Douglas E West, 78, of Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Grover, and St. George, Utah, died early July 4, 2025 after a months-long struggle with the effects of lupus nephritis and chronic kidney disease.

Doug was born July 11, 1946, the only son of Thomas E. West and Lela Myers West. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his beloved only sibling, older sister Diane West Hiatt, and by son Stacy Murdock West who died at birth in 1986.

Raised in Pleasant Grove, Doug was the first member of his family to complete college, graduating from Utah State University a proud Aggie. He completed his Masters Degree at Brigham Young University before beginning a 30+ year career in public service.

Doug’s career took him to a leadership position as a Deputy Auditor General for the State of Utah. In this role Doug relentlessly pursued accountability in government spending, refusing to bend to political pressure, often fearing for his job as political tides changed. Doug later took a role as Deputy Director for the Department of Human Services for the State of Utah, before taking an early semi-retirement and running his own consultancy business for a decade. In his career Doug was appreciated by those who believed in accountability and transparency, and disliked by those who attempted to misuse public funds for their own benefit.

Doug’s greatest passions were the public lands of the Western United States, and his animals. He spent his life and wore out his body exploring the beautiful country entrusted to us all, with a specific passion for red rock canyons. A lifelong horseman and supporter of Back Country Horsemen of Utah, Doug kept riding even after falls fractured ribs and punctured his lung. He rode well into his 78th year, before being incapacitated by illness. The best and perhaps only way to get to know Doug was through his passion for the outdoors and animals, and he eagerly shared his knowledge and experience with all who were interested, making many lifelong friends who he dearly loved.

Doug is survived by his wife of 55 years, Petrea Murdock, son Benjamin West and family, nephew David Hiatt and family, niece Lisa Hiatt Hamilton and family, sheepdog Maynard, four horses, and his lifelong friend Jack Barratt, with whom he formed a bonded pair, and whose five children he considered his own.

Doug long ago set aside the Mormon faith he was born into, believing at death his energy would return to the potential of the macrocosm. Now, beyond the reach of anxiety or discomfort, he belongs to the same silence that surrounded us all before our births. Though he is gone, the tenderness he felt for his friends and family endures. He is badly missed.

Doug’s remains will be privately cremated and memorials are planned in Alpine, Utah and on Boulder Mountain in Wayne County. Contact the family for information.