January 21, 1960 – July 9, 2024
Doug will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his mother and two daughters, Sarita and Luna Kennedy, as well as his granddaughters, Leilani and Naia, and his great-granddaughter, Scarlett. He is preceded in death by his father, Walter F. Kennedy, and survived by his mother, Arlene C. Kennedy, and brothers Steve, Gary (Michele), Jeff (Cheryl), and Greg Kennedy. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, co-workers, and the community of Moab, where he has lived since 1997.
Even before he graduated from Weber High School (Ogden, Utah, Class of ‘78), Doug was known to be an ambitious and entrepreneurial powerhouse. From his first job mowing lawns at the age of 12, the man never stopped striving to achieve his goals and make his dreams come true.
After moving to Oregon in 1986, he and his brother Jeff started a software company called LaborVision, to help restaurants manage their labor costs. Next, he came up with a unique way of creating glass ornaments and began his business, Northern Ice. Around that same time, inspired by his love of classic rock, he started framing vinyl albums and created another business, Nostalgia Rock.
While living in Oregon, he and his daughter Luna (Stacy) enjoyed the outdoors and all the beauty that the Pacific Northwest had to offer. They spent lots of time hiking, backpacking, fishing, exploring the coast, and picking wildflowers together.
In 1997, after a trip to Moab to visit his younger brother, Greg, Doug decided to pack up and move to Moab with his then-14-year-old daughter. It didn’t take long for the two Kennedy brothers to realize there was a serious need for a gear shop in town, so they scraped together everything they had and opened GearHeads Outdoor Store.
Over the past 27 years, GearHeads has grown into a treasured part of the Moab experience and a staple of the community. In 2009, they convinced their brother Steve to move from Oregon and become a partner. And as if running a busy outdoor store wasn’t enough, Doug and Greg also invented and brought to market an innovative flashlight, LazerBrite, which is still manufactured in Moab and sold around the world.
Though it is clear that Doug has always been passionate about his work, he was also passionate about his family. He was a loving son, father, grandfather, and brother. Whenever someone needed help, he was always the first to lend a hand and people who knew him were continually touched by his kindness and generosity. He enjoyed cooking and spending time with his family; listening to Pink Floyd, classic rock, and attending concerts; hiking, camping, fly fishing, and scuba diving around the world, especially in the Philippines. It was there where he met the mother of his cherished second daughter, Sarita. In the past 14 years, caring for Sarita has been his most fulfilling endeavor. He was so proud of her artistic talents, intelligence, and sweet personality. Not only was he a devoted father, but he was also a beloved grandfather. He was never happier than when he was surrounded by all of his girls.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 20, at 4 p.m. in the banquet hall of the Hoodoo Hotel (111 N. 100 West). Please join us to share stories and celebrate the life of Doug Kennedy. In lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to the Youth Garden Project in Moab.
Shine on, You Crazy Diamond.
