Birth date: Jun 17, 1969 Death date: Mar 7, 2021
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, Read Obituary
Melissa- sending you and your daughters peace and love. From my Family to yours, Ms Emily @ Oakridge
Doug is one of a kind. I was truly uplifted and better for every interaction I ever had with him. A true friend who will be very missed.
Randy Plant
Doug always treated my husband and me with great respect. We missed Doug's family so much when they moved from our neighborhood. Now Doug has moved to another place—heaven. We are so sorry for those who are hurting. I know from the experience of losing a daughter that our departed loved ones are aware of us and care for us. I pray that all who are hurting will feel Doug's love for them. Melissa, you are a beautiful person and you have a beautiful family. I hope for a very happy future for all of you.
I know two things about Doug: first, he could be the sweetest and kindest person I have ever known. Second, he hated being a fuss. Somewhere, close in the Great Beyond he is probably saying "ah, you didn't have to do that." As we honor him the first fact must trump the second and he deserves a lifetime of fuss and praise. Thank you for your example of friendship, kindness, and sacrifice. Thank you for always asking about my family. And, probably most important, thank you always putting things in perspective. You will be sorely missed.
Godspeed,
James Swensen
I loved seeing Doug when I was out walking (or even driving by him and waving as he was out walking;) He always took time to chat if at all possible. I loved his outgoing nature and willingness to engage in real conversations.
Doug
I am so Thankful that I had the opportunity to work with you. You were always so very happy and pleasant to be around. You will always have a special place in my heart and you will be truly missed my friend.
Sending my love and prayers to your beautiful family
Doug,
You were and still are a light to our neighborhood. When I would see you out running or walking I always enjoyed our brief rests to talk and get updated. You always radiated a light which uplifted everyone you met. You shared an optimism during your challenging times which increased our faith in the Lord and in the purposes of mortality. Thanks for lifting us and making the world a better place. You lived the example of a Christ-like life in all you did.
Love,
Wes and Becky Thompson
My family moved to Ephraim Utah in 1980. After going to school the first day I was riding my bike down the street and a block away from my house I was stopped by Doug. He started talking to me like we were best friends and to be honest I don't remember much of what he said because I was wondering how I had forgotten meeting him that day in school. The part I do remember is that he had move from California about 3 weeks before my family had moved from Summit County Utah. Finally, after about 20 min of talking, Doug stopped, looked at me and said, "You're not Don are you?" I said no, I am Andy, Don's brother. We both laughed for a few minutes about the mistake and he walked the rest of the way to my house to see my brother Don...
We grew up just a few blocks from each other, we were in the same ward and every Sunday Doug, Don, Tyler Nielson and myself got together to play one type of game or another. Basketball, football, hockey (with golf balls and tennis racquets - Not very smart), Dodgeball, flashlight tag, kick the can, board games and the list goes on and on. Don my brother didn't like it much that I was hanging out with them, I mean nobody in high school wants their younger brother hanging with them and their friends. But Doug and Tyler stood up for me and calmed him down which allowed me to spend as much time as I could with them.
You grow up with people and have friends but Doug was more than a friend, he was my brother. All of my siblings loved Doug, My parents loved having him around and I know my dad is taking his passing hard and he feels like he has lost one of his own children... Doug made my dad laugh so hard that I honestly believed my dad would kill over and have a heart attack during the conversations. This just didn't happen once, it happened virtually every time you were around him. he was part of our family. Doug had an amazing sense of humor and I don't know anyone who didn't enjoy being around him. Virtually every humorous story I have from my youth, Doug was a part of it in one way or another.
Doug has a way of making everyone around him feel like they're his best friend. I could talk for hours about all the funny experiences we had together. Doug, I love you brother and I always will. You have influenced and touched my life in so many ways that I truly feel blessed to have been able to call you my brother. You will be missed.
I'll finish with re-stating Kyle Korver's words. Melissa, Samantha, Haley and Grace. Know you have many people here for you however we can be... May heavenly father bless you and your family during this difficult time in your lives...
Andy Naylor
PS. I forgive you and Tyler for posting, "Party at the Naylor's" posters all over town. It's always fun to come home to a house full of people you didn't know were going to be there.
My greatest compliment is that for a few years Doug was my best friend. We both traveled with the Jazz and as often as we could we would get together to play scrabble or cards or just to talk. He was a great person that made me laugh and smile when I was around him. God bless Melissa and his family. I look forward to seeing him again.
