Douglas C. Birrell, MT

Douglas C. Birrell

1969-2021 in Loving Memory

Salt Lake City, Utah—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, uncle and friend.

Doug graduated from Manti High School in 1987. After he graduated, he served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santiago, Chile. He attended Snow College, the University of Utah and graduated at the top of his class from the Utah College of Massage Therapy in 1993. Doug first worked with the Alta Club Fitness Center through Body by Banks and afterward owned his own massage therapy company D. Birrell & Co. After private contracting with Karl Malone, John Stockton and others for 5 years, he was officially hired as the team massage therapist for the Utah Jazz and worked with the team for 21 years. He has loved and cherished the team and staff members he has worked with throughout his career.

Doug's family was his pride and joy. Married in the Manti Temple, Doug and his wife, Melissa, enjoyed 26 years together and raised 3 beautiful daughters. They loved traveling and spending time together. Devoted service in his church brought him great happiness. He was a great man of faith with a powerful belief and testimony of Jesus Christ. He was outgoing, kind, genuine and had a gift for listening to and counseling others. One of Doug's favorite pastimes was running, particularly in all the different states and countries where he traveled. Doug will be sorely missed, leaving behind many loving friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Melissa, daughters: Samantha, Haley and Grace, siblings: Jeff, Melissa and Kara and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Preceded in death by parents Cliff and Shirley Birrell, and two oldest siblings Dana and Mark Birrell.

Viewing will be held on Friday, March 12, 9:00am-10:45am. The funeral service will follow at 11:00am, both held at LDS meeting house, 3100 E. Craig Dr., SLC, UT, 84109. Face masks and social distancing will be observed. Interment will be at Memorial Holladay Cemetery in Holladay, Utah.

To attend funeral service remotely, use live stream link: http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/saltlakeeastmillcreekstake

The direct link is also on the Premier Funeral Services site.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at Mountain America Credit Union under Melissa Birrell, the Birrell Family Memorial Fund or Venmo @Melissa-Birrell.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Mar. 10 to Mar. 14, 2021.