Heartfelt condolences are extended to your family at this difficult time. Seek the love and support God provides to help you cope during this time - Psalms 29:11

My husband and I have been greeted by Doug at church for many years. Having traveled to Greece on the church trip several years ago, I had met Doug and witnessed his love of photograph. During our absence due to summer travel, our friend Doug has gone to heaven to assume a greeting position in heaven. We will miss him as will many others at church. One of his friends turned to me as he was ascending the escalator to the church service and said, " Doug's gone. He died. He is in heaven." He was a natural "encourager" and touched the lives of many as they ascended the escalator to our church service. We will look forward to a greeting from Doug when we reach heaven. A smile and a laugh from Doug will help us to know we are there and right on time!

So stunned at the loss of Doug, who greated me every Sunday morning with a funny little saying at the bottom of the escalator. His joy spilled out to everyone he met. His sweet spirit was contagious. Until we meet again, praising our Savior together in heaven.

As new members of Fellowship Bible Church Dallas we noticed one of the fascinating variety of automobiles in Dougs collection in the parking lot each Sunday.   Also amid wedding planning, we approached him one Sunday morning to ask if he rented his immaculate 36 Rolls as a wedding reception "getaway" car.   To our surprise his quick response was absolutely not!stunned, we looked one another with mounting disappointment until he gleefully retorted with a smile and a laugh I will do it for Fellowship Church members for free!

This moment captured the essence of Doug, a kindhearted, generous, cheerful, servant whose infectious grin and joyful disposition always made us feel welcome & encouraged.     He was so kind to offer his services and to make the effort, our special day was made remarkable by his iconic ride and more so by his presence, his wit and his charm.

There will be a lasting absence on the churchs hospitality rotation, we will miss his smile, his jokes and his friendly greeting each Sunday morning.

We are heartbroken at his passing but know that heaven has a new chauffeur, photographer and a tremendous servant.


Darren & Melissa Wickham


We met Doug though my sister Vicki and her husband Daryl. Doug's smile and presence brought light to wherever he was and he was the life of the party. 
We remember him bringing his RV to the 4th of July gatherings to watch the Carrollton Fireworks.

One of my best memories was when he drove me, and Vicki and Daryl in his beautiful '36 Rolls to a Pegasus Theater Black and White play. On the way he told us all about the car's history which was very interesting. Black and White plays are comic murder mysteries in the style of '30's and '40's B&W movies. The actors wear makeup that makes it all look in black and white. Doug's beautiful car was parked on the apron at the theater entrance and the entire cast asked Doug if they could have their pictures made standing next to it while in costume. They were thrilled! Doug and his car were the stars that day.
Doug was a good person who loved life and uplifted those around him. Although we were not as close to him as many of his friends, we too feel his loss and will miss him.

Arlyn and I know that Doug will arrive at the Pearly Gates in a fine Rolls Royce, and enter in style.  He will be sorely missed.

RIP Doug 
And thank you for your generous nature & gift of friendship!

The news of Doug's passing left Rob and I with a sense of disbelief and a feeling of being gutted. Life is so very short and we were blessed to have Doug as a friend. He lives on forever in our hearts and souls.
Doug,"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. Until we meet again, may the good Lord take a liking to you."
--Roy Rogers

Fond Farewell to a dynamic leader and a special kind of personality in our car clubs, our church and the many social events that he orchestrated.   My heart is still hurting from this news last week.  An irreplaceable kind of worker, jokester,  leader , and friend . God will welcome this person to his new home and say Well Done my Faithful Servant. WE miss Doug!!

What can we say about a longtime friend? 
We have been involved in photography together.  We were involved in target shooting at the Dallas Pistol Club together.  We spent many years doing CAS, SASS Cowboy Action Shooting as members of the Single Action Shooting Society at local clubs.  We were members of the Lone Star Frontier Shooting Society and the Comanche Valley Vigilantes together.  Many years well spent together having fun.  
The last few years we have been having weekly get togethers at the local coffee shop, Dunn's Bro's, in Addison followed by dinners together at local restaurants.  
Doug helped us learn Photo Shop so that we could improve our pictures that Vicki and I used on our web pages. 
So, what can we say?  We will miss his sense of humor.  His friendship.  His always being there to help with most anything.  
We miss him.  
Vicki & Daryl DeVault

Herb and I have never met a nicer person.  We are going to miss Doug.  He had a big presence.

Herb and Joan Losey

I first met Dougie in 1969 when he was asked to come photograph the cars of owners in the Jaguar Owners Assoc. down at White Rock Lake. I still have those photographs in my files. I was only 17 at the time. Then we became reacquainted again in 1998 when I joined the Classic Car Club of America. We had a lot of great tours and shows together through the years, and became very good friends. Here is a photo taken of him on my boat last year. I will miss him very much. He always had a good joke, and was the life of the party at car shows. R.I.P. my friend. You will always be a fond memory for me.

Good bye, Doug:
Joy and I will miss your ever-present, smiling face.
You are the "spirit" of the hobby that introduced us.  
We hope you know that you will always be a special memory and a symbol of 
a good and thoughtful friend.
May God rest you.

Mike and Joy Ames

In shock and grieving over the loss of one of my best friends, Douglas Handel !  Didn't expect this news.  Gonna miss the crazy sense of humor and the way he greeted everyone at church.  Going to miss the way that he shook his head and rolled his eyes at my silliness. Gonna miss my friend. Earth's loss is truly Heaven's gain.  I'm sure he'll be assigned a greeters role at the gates of Paradise as he was at FBC.  Right now my heart is broken and all I can seem to do is weep ! See you on the other side brother ! 

We will miss you dear friend and all the wonderful times we have had together.
In the many years we have known Doug we have shared good times and bad always with a smile. Our Wenseday night dinners are some of our best memories.  Our prayers are with his family. The Lord now has another angel walking with him in heaven. Our love always, Huricane and Knifemaker (Chuck and Mary Dominy)

He was always cheerful, always smiling. We will miss him.

Doug will be missed by many, and for many reasons. He was a true and generous friend. I'll miss his patience, wit, bad jokes, good jokes, keen artists eye, and many other aspects of his friendship.

I will cherish the times I spent with Doug forever. A true friend in every way. Anyone who knew him knows how I feel. He will truly be missed by all.

OBITUARY

Douglas Alfred Handel

5 April, 1945 – 6 July, 2017

Rhoton Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services