Norman Eugene Doman

With saddened hearts but filled with love, we announce the passing of Norman Doman, better known as Norm, honey, dad, daddy, grandpa, grandpa-great, sweetheart, Mr. Clean, and friend. Norman passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, the evening of August 1st, 2025 in Holladay, UT. He was 92. His passing was exactly one year after his sweetheart Gerri left this earth.

Norman was born in Los Angeles, CA. on March 24th, 1933. He was lovingly adopted by Estella and Basil Doman and moved to Copperton, UT. where he grew up and lived most of his early adult life.

Norman grew up in Copperton in a small family as an only child. He loved music and dancing; he practiced trumpet, piano, and tap dancing. When he started kindergarten, he met his lifelong sweetheart, Geraldeen Gammell. Both of them said that the first encounter happened in the sandbox. Their special connection that started at this time, developed into something that seemed straight out of a love story. After a lengthy childhood courtship, Norm and Gerri decided to elope in Las Vegas. The day after their graduation from Bingham High School, they said “I do”. In Norm’s words, “it was stupid, but he wouldn’t change a thing”. Norm loved his sweet wife deeply and did all of his life. While they shared a marriage for 73 years, it's easy to say their love story spanned their whole life.

As newlyweds, the two of them made a life in the “nicest house in town” in Copperton because of the devotion they had for it. The couple always showed great care and pride in their possessions and what they had built for themselves. It is still present in their current home and yard today. Copperton was a special place to Norm and he held honor in growing up there. He enjoyed visiting the area often. They attended many holiday events and barbecues in Copperton over the years. The most recent trip was less than two years ago when some of his grandkids took him to the Kennecott mine. Eventually, Norm and Gerri would buy a home in Midvale where they would raise 3 children; Mark, Kirk, and Dana. This is the same home he lived in up until his passing.

Norm started working at Kennecott as a teenager and would eventually retire from the company after 52 years of employment. He spent most of his career as a Locomotive Engineer running the trains. He was one of the best they had regarding safety, durability, reliability, and loyalty. Kennecott ran deep in his soul and both of his sons would follow his example and work there early in their careers.

Norm loved cars and they were always a passion of his. He loved talking about them, driving them, looking at car lots, and buying new ones. He also loved to ride his Honda motorcycle with Gerri, especially to Lake Point. Even later in life when his driving privileges were taken away, he would often joke “I am still an excellent driver” and “maybe we could swing by the car dealer and see what new cars they had in stock”. He missed driving later in life. Norm loved when the family would get a new vehicle and make a special visit to take him for a ride. He always showed excitement and interest in the color, design, interior, features, wheels, and other details that only he could appreciate.

Norm liked to travel, especially in their camping trailer. Many memorable trips were taken with life-long friends throughout the west together. For many years, Norm and Gerri would take their trailer to St. George for the winter. They had many special memories on these trips and would speak about them often. He liked to fish and many of his mountain camping trips were more rewarding because of the time he spent on the river. He passed on this love of fishing to others in his family that they are very grateful for today. The both of them also enjoyed friend trips to beautiful beach destinations where they made memories with dear friends. He had great friends and would share in his love for them often with his family.

Norm got fulfillment in having the “best looking yard” on Roosevelt Street. He spent a great amount of time each season making it look as clean and well-manicured. He was very meticulous about keeping his grass green and his plants and vegetables growing strong. Hand watering the grass every summer evening was a common technique. He also liked to look good himself, taking pride in his dress and appearance. He dressed sharply and all of his clothes, shoes, and even pajamas were not typical for someone his age. He never wanted to look like an old man. Norm was a great story teller and had a very sharp memory that always surprised his family. He had very little trouble remembering names, places, and dates of things that happened over 75 years ago. His mind was sharp and up to his passing he still was aware of most things. His family cherished listening to his stories and learning more about his life. Many times, when he would get to a good story that Gerri didn’t want him telling, she would tell him that is enough Norman! He would stop then or wait for her to leave the room and then whisper the details making the family laugh often at both his story and sneaky delivery. He was not often overly outgoing, and would keep to himself at times unless you started talking and asking questions to him. He wanted to see that you cared and that you were taking the time to talk to him. Once he saw that you really did care about what he had to say, he would open up more and you would have his trust moving forward. Norm was a genuine man and fiercely loyal to those around him that cared and spent time with him. Especially to those who cared for and visited his wife and himself later in life. If you showed genuine love and attention to Norman, he would show it with love, appreciation, and humor in return. He always said thank you for anything you would do for him.

Norm woke up early most of his life and if the sun was up when he awoke, he was sleeping in. He loved Wheaties and ate them every morning for many recent years. He also found a new love for McDonalds coffee and would request “McCoffee” from his family at all times throughout the day. He loved to listen to the radio at dinner time. He had a saying, when we would be sitting down to eat, “how about some tunes or notes”. That was our sign that he wanted us to turn on the radio. He quit smoking many years ago after over 60 years, and still carried an old dried out pack in his car. Just in case even though he didn’t use them.

Norm was always a great sport when it came to the things Gerri would ask him to do. He worked hard in life to please her and provide what she wanted to be happy. They were a perfect pair and appreciated each other intensely. They were the ideal couple in making each other happy and showing what true love stands for in their household and life. Norm showed how good of a sport he could be very often with Gerri taking pictures. Pictures were a very frequent occurrence at their house and he always put on a smile or posed the way she wanted him to just to make her happy. We appreciate all of these moments and smiles now as we look back on them.

Norm found a new love for food later in life and would give almost daily food and restaurant requests on what he wanted the family to bring him. He always ate well as Gerri was a fantastic cook. However, this last year he was able to try many new restaurants and items that were new to him and others that had always been his favorite. Steak, Chinese food, burgers, fries, chicken fried steak, McCoffee, candy bars, and jelly beans, all became his recent favorites. Many of the last conversations his family had with him were about food, candy, or places he would like to have again.

Norm never lived without his wife, Gerri by his side until this last year. They were never away from each other ever for more than a few days. Since Gerri’s passing, he did a very sturdy job in proving to himself and Gerri that he could do it alone for a little bit. He missed Gerri intensely every day since she passed and showed sorrow often. He never felt comfortable with her not being there since she passed. One year apart must have been their final secret agreement!

Over the last few years, Norman had many caregivers and people enter into his life that helped him in his health and through the aging process. Rarely would he show anger and every time someone would do something for him, he would say thank you. He was not an overly stubborn person even when he had many reasons to be. Staff at Inspiration Hospice greatly helped burden the load through his difficult time. Heather became one of his family and we are very grateful for her love and attention to him. She truly went above and beyond in her care and the family is very thankful for her. The family would like to share our appreciation and love to Lloyd at Helping Hands for his care, compassion, and company in the last few months.

Norm was very close to his daughter Dana. She took over the role of caregiver for both of her parents the last few years as they became limited on their own. They were as close as a father and daughter could be and loved each other dearly. They looked up to one another and showed their love to each other daily, in everything they did. Their relationship is very special and was an example of what every father should hope for with his own daughter. Dana’s husband John, also took on this role and spent the last two years assisting every step of the way. Since retirement in his own career, he has spent more time helping with his in-laws than doing things he always thought he would be doing in retirement. They both feel honored to have had the opportunity to care for Norm and Gerri and are so very grateful to have had the relationship they had with both of them for so long.

Norm was proud of his family and always wanted to see them all succeed. He appreciated hard work and facing struggles head on without excuses. He was a wonderful father, father-in-law, grandpa, and friend, and we will all miss him greatly. We will carry on his example in our heart and do all we can to live up to the type of person he was.

Norman is survived by his daughter, Dana Fabert (John Fabert); daughter-in-law, MaryAnn Doman; grandchildren, Jason Fabert (Megan), Kyle Doman (Hilary), Karri Doman, Brooke Benson (Ryan), Mandi Dixon (Brian); and 11 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his wife, Geraldeen Doman; son, Mark Doman (Beverly Doman); son, Kirk Doman; parents, Estella and Basil Doman.

A private graveside service will be held on August 11th, 2025 at Midvale Cemetery, honoring Norman in the presence of close family.