Douglas Kingdon

Douglas Martin Kingdon was born on April 3, 1933 in Casper, Wyoming, to William Douglas Kingdon and Halavine “Holly” Anna Schopf.

Doug grew up in Casper, attending McKinley School, and later Natrona County High School. He graduated in 1951.

He had eleven years of piano with Grace Bean, receiving numerous awards for his proficiency. He learned to play the trumpet with his left hand due to a physical impairment. He received a B.A. (1955) and M.A. (1959) from University of Wyoming in music education.

On August 28, 1959, he married Marian Smith of Cody, Wyoming. Together, they had two sons Kevin Wayne Kingdon (Eagle Mountain, UT) and Brian Lee Kingdon (West Valley City, UT), of whom he was very proud.

Doug loved fishing and music. While a youth, he once caught a 10lb trout at Pathfinder Reservoir. He taught his own boys to fish, and got them each a horn to play in band.

He taught school for 25 years, including Wyoming schools: Meeteetse, Burlington, Buffalo, Cokeville, Cowley, and Basin, as well as several Nebraska schools. His last teaching assignment was traveling to eleven rural schools in Alliance, Nebraska for an educational service unit.

Doug built many model trains that were later donated to the Central Wyoming Model Railroad Association in Casper. He collected Disney figurines and hundreds of videos. He was a sports fan of BYU football and Cardinals baseball.

He played in the Casper Municipal Band for 39 years, from the time he was in high school through his later adult years. He was one of the original members of the Wyoming Symphony, formerly Casper Civic Symphony.

He was a High Priest and Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a devoted member, serving in many capacities, including President of the O’Neill and Norfolk branches while living in Nebraska. He enjoyed being Music Chairman and Choir Director of his local congregation.

With declining health in recent years, he relocated to Lehi, Utah in November 2020 to be closer to family. He passed away peacefully on January 2, 2021.

He is survived by his wife, Marian Smith, two sons, Kevin W. Kingdon (Deborah Warner), and Brian L. Kingdon (Silvia Gonzalez). He is beloved by his seven grandchildren, including Julie, Stacie, Daniel, Kent, Samantha, Gabriel, and Christopher, and numerous great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of his life in Lehi, UT on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, with a viewing at 2 pm followed by the memorial service at 3 pm. His burial will take place at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Casper, Wyoming at 2 pm on Saturday, January 9, 2021.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home, 600 CY Avenue, Casper, WY 82601.