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Douglas Pooser Sonntag – beloved son, grandson, relative and friend – died on Monday, July 12, 2021 at his home in Cedar City, Utah.
Doug was born in Glendale, California on June 13, 1976, the son of James William Pooser and Cheryl Rae Sonntag Pooser. Doug moved to Cedar City, Utah in December 1986, during his 5th grade year of elementary school with his mother and grandparents, Harry and Mona Sonntag. The Sonntag’s selected Cedar City as their home because of its small-town atmosphere and its proximity to Southern Utah University which offered future educational opportunities for Doug. The Sonntag’s were introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were baptized in 1987. Doug embraced the church doctrines and culture and thrived in his newfound faith. At age 19, Doug was called as a full-time missionary and served in the Harrisburg Pennsylvania Mission from 1995 to 1997. After his mission, Doug enrolled at Southern Utah University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. During his years at SUU, Doug worked in the campus post office and was on the SUU Journal newspaper staff. In addition, Doug was active in the student business club, Phi Beta Lambda (“PBL”). In 1999, Doug represented SUU at the National PBL Conference in Southern California, where he won 1st place in the Quantitative Methods competition. After graduation, Doug worked for public accounting firms in St. George and Cedar City before joining the Leavitt Group in 2014.
Doug loved the members of his St. George and Cedar City Singles wards. He was an able and willing servant of the Lord and accepted each church calling with humility and enthusiasm. His most recent church calling was that of ward finance clerk. Doug was very supportive of others and could be counted on to volunteer to help at every service project, activity, or event. Doug was always prepared and willing to share. Doug’s comments during Sunday School and Priesthood meetings were thoughtful and inspiring and gave evidence that Doug had taken time to read the lesson material in advance.
Doug was devoted to his grandmother and was her primary caregiver until her passing in June 2021 at age 95. Doug and Mona were seldom apart and enjoyed watching TV, playing games attending singles ward activities and traveling together. Mona was an accomplished dancer in her youth and she and Doug would dance together at single adult dances.
Doug enjoyed golfing, hiking, and running. He also played the piano and created crossword puzzles, crypto-quotes and word searches for ward newsletters or team building activities. Doug was a member of Toastmasters and had earned the Toastmasters Competent Communicator award and the Advanced Communicator-Bronze award.
Doug was well thought of, appreciated, and loved by his peers and colleagues. Doug was meticulous, and accurate in everything he did. He was also quiet, kind, and helpful. When asked what he enjoyed most about his job, he said that he liked the unassigned little odd jobs he did to help others such as emptying the shredder bin, helping to stuff envelopes, holding doors open, smiling and greeting co-workers and anything else he could do to lift a burden or gladden a heart.
Doug was preceded in death by his mother, father, and grandparents.
Funeral services will include a graveside service at 10:00am on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the Cedar City Cemetery, under the direction of Affordable Funeral Services. In addition, a memorial service celebrating Doug’s life will be held in the Cedar City Canyon View Stake Center, 1985 N. Main Street, on Monday, July 19, 2021 at 11:00am. The following is a virtual meeting link for the Monday memorial service: https://zoom.us/j/99784853009?pwd=RS93RjBrSTIreG1yOWl1VTFDV0lmZz09