Richard Arnold Douglas

(November 22, 1929 – December 31, 2019)

Richard A. Douglas, 90, longtime resident of Fraser, Michigan passed away on December 31, 2019. He was born in Detroit, MI and grew up in St. Clair Shores, MI.

He attended South Lake Schools and graduated valedictorian of the January class of 1948 from South Lake High School. He earned his school letters in basketball, football and track and was a member of the National Honor Society. From early childhood, he developed close friendships with his classmates that lasted a lifetime. He received his Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Central Michigan University, and completed advanced studies at Wayne State University, Michigan State University, Oakland University and University of Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Okinawa, making trips to Taiwan and Hong Kong. His career began in 1954 as a teacher at Avalon Elementary in St. Clair Shores where he taught fifth and sixth grades. In November 1958, he became principal of Fairlane Elementary School in the South Lake School District where he would spend the next 17 years before being transferred as principal to Pare Elementary. As expressed in his own words in 1958, “My main interest is in working with the teachers and administrators of South Lake in our continuous effort to provide for the children of our schools the best education possible for each child.” He retired from the school district in 1986 after 32 years of dedicated service.

He married his first wife, the late Helen Douglas Charlie, in 1952 and they had three children. On July 28, 1984 he married his second wife, the late Ernestine (nee McCollom) Douglas (formerly Warfield). He and Ernie were married for 25 years and shared many happy times together. After retirement, they enjoyed winters in Florida, taking cruises, and spending special occasions and holidays gathering with family and friends, both old and new.

Richard is survived by his children, Kirk Douglas (Mesa, AZ), Kathleen Douglas (Plymouth, MI) and Craig Douglas (Strongsville, OH). Proud grandfather of Lindsey (Austin) Poole, Hannah Douglas and James Douglas. Great-grandfather of Adam and Jacob Poole. He is preceded in death by his brother James F. Douglass and is survived by his loving sister-in-law Dorrine Douglass; nephew James (Teresa) Douglass and niece Marie Douglass (Christian Cieslewicz). Stepfather to Lori (Daniel) Brophy; Daniel (Vickie) Warfield; Lon (Diane) Warfield and Terry (Lynn) Warfield and caring step-grandfather to Erin (Seth) Brophy Weiner; James Brophy; Kelly Warfield (Bill Wolf), Adam (Dianna) Warfield, Chris (Ashley) Warfield, Ryan (Angela) Warfield, Lindsay Warfield (Randall Adkison) and James (Zay) Warfield.

Richard’s family wishes to thank the caregiving organizations who assisted him in his final years. A Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 32000 Schoenherr Rd., Warren with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Internment at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48154 or to Altenheim Senior Living, 18627 Shurmer Road, Strongsville, OH 44136