D.A. "Doc" Osguthorpe, 88, an influential veterinarian who used to own the "white barn" and surrounding property that is a landmark along Highway 224 between Kimball Junction and Park City, died June 8, 2009.
He was instrumental in diagnosing the death of thousands of sheep in Skull Valley and represented ranchers there against the U.S. Army in the poisoning of sheep with nerve gas. He testified before Congress during that controversy.
In 1943, he opened a veterinary practice in Holladay, to begin a career that spanned 55 years. The practice included treating horses, dairy cows, cattle and sheep.
Osguthorpe soon found a high demand for treating horses and mules used in mining in the Park City area. He also purchased five ranches around Park City from 1945 to 1951, including the dairy farm owned by the Daniel McPolin estate — property with the recognizable white barn on the way into Park City.
He operated the dairy there until 1992, when UDOT purchased it to widen the highway. The old white barn is listed on the National Historic Registry.
He later expanded his ranching operations into Juab and Millard counties.
Born in Blackfoot, Idaho, on Oct. 12, 1920, he grew up in the east Millcreek area and attended Granite High School. Osguthorpe also attended Utah State University for one year before enrolling at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) and earning a degree in veterinary medicine.
He received the Colorado State University Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999.
Funeral services will be held at noon Friday, June 12, at the Cottonwood 14th Ward Chapel, 2080 E. 5165 South, Salt Lake City. Friends and relatives may call Thursday evening from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, and Friday from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.