Douglas Mark Allen, Huntsville legend, Wilderness Ward Bishop, consummate friend, and husband to his beloved Susie, passed away on Thursday October 27, 2022. Doug left this earth doing what he loved most, where he loved most, with whom he loved most: chasing deer, in the mountains surrounding Huntsville, with Susie by his side. He was 63 years old.

Doug was born on July 3, 1959 and eagerly taken home by Loris (Felt) Allen and Daniel Mark Allen of Huntsville, Utah. Loris and Mark were wonderful parents. Doted on by his loving mother, Doug was a dutiful, loving son. Mark imparted upon Doug the many life-skills and attributes that would make Douglas the wonderful man that he was.

Doug was a 24-year veteran of the Weber County Fire District. Captain Allen protected the public with honor, empathy, and respect. Doug’s service as a firefighter framed the man he was, and his great skill and love for his fellow firefighters will not soon be forgotten.

The love of Doug’s life was his wife, Susan Calton. Susan accepted Doug without condition and provided him with a lifetime’s worth of kindness, encouragement, and compliments, in but a half of a lifetime. Doug wanted nothing more than to spend out the rest of his life in the mountains with Susie by his side.

Hunting was one of Doug’s most genuine joys in the world. As Bishop of the Wilderness Ward, he counseled a network of hunters across the country, and many of Ogden Valley’s most talented and enthusiastic big game hunters. Doug was never more in his element than on the highest peak, in the most treacherous terrain, pursuing big game.

Doug’s love for hunting was only enriched by Susie’s presence in his life. She quickly took to his beloved pastime, and to Doug’s absolute delight, Sue was a quick study, soon making her own impressive contributions to the trophy room. He loved sharing his wilderness with his wife. Three days after Doug passed, Susan returned to the very same mountain determined to finish what she and Doug had started. And boy did she do Doug proud, filling her tag with a big, beautiful buck.

Doug was a fast, fierce, and forever friend. To be Doug’s friend was not a casual relationship: his friendships were never shallow, never fleeting. If Doug was in your life, he was in it for good. Doug had the uncanny ability of making deep, personal connections with everyone he met.

In a world where people carefully curate a persona with no flaws, Doug was always Doug ­ kind-hearted, hard-working, irreverent Doug. He was an original, larger than life character, quick to jump to the defense of one of his brothers, but easily moved to tears discussing war veterans, or love for his country. Doug was venerated in his community, a proud fourth-generation Huntsville resident. He harbored a strong sense of service towards the members of his community, serving on the town council, planning commission, and the water board as he endeavored to ensure Huntsville remained a town worthy of the many residents he loved.

Doug was a father to nine children. Amos, Ginger, Josie, Kate, and Trit were loved deeply by their Dad and have been a great source of pride throughout his life. By the time Doug met Susan, he had successfully delivered his children into adulthood and likely wasn’t eager to start over with a new group. But start over he did, as he helped Susan raise Alex, Katie, Sam, and Jack. Doug accepted us as one of his own, and we are forever grateful to him for the love he gave us, and his devotion to our mom.

Doug was hero-worshipped by his 14 grandchildren. He taught his grandkids practical life skills, just as his father taught him; like how to use a knife, skin a deer, shoot a gun, and trap porcupines. Pappy Doug’s physical absence in their lives is a source of great sorrow for us.

Doug left this world as he hoped he would, and with everything he loved most in close proximity: on the hunt, in the mountains, with his sweet wife, knowing dear friends were nearby to provide her with strength and support. Doug would want us to carry shared memories close to our hearts, but he would not want us to dwell on the sadness. The best way to honor Doug’s memory is to follow Sue’s example and get that buck, find peace in the wilderness, and be a loyal friend.

Doug was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mark and Loris Allen and his sister Jolene (Allen) Probasco. He is survived by his wife Susan Calton. His children Amos Allen, Ginger Allen, Josie (Ryan) Robison, Kate Story, and Andrea (Trit) Burrows, step-children Alex (Kimberly) Hall, Katie (Taylor) Finlinson, Sam (Alexandra) Hall, and Jack Hall; and grandchildren Taylee Allen; Pierson, Madilyn, Jensen, and Watson Robison; Bennett and Macy Story; Jackson, Hannah, Emery, and Bowen Burrows; and George, Nora, and Ada Finlinson.

A celebration of Doug’s life will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022 from 5-8pm at Earl’s Lodge, Snowbasin, where he will be honored by the Weber County Fire Honor Guard. Doug will be laid to rest in a special spot overlooking his hometown, with only the mountains between him and the heavens.