Haywood "Doug" Ervin

Doug was born in Kinston, North Carolina, on November 22, 1934, to Pompje and Elizabeth Ervin. He was the fifth of six children born to his parents and the last one still living at the time of his death. Doug grew up on a tobacco farm in Jones County, North Carolina, and graduated from Kinston High School in 1953. Following graduation, he began his career in the American footwear industry working for Kinney Shoes, a New York-based footwear retailer. He managed stores in several southern states, including one in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where he met his beloved wife, Patsy. After marrying, they moved to New York City, where Doug worked in Kinney’s headquarters as a distribution manager, assistant buyer, and buyer until 1965.

In 1965, Doug and his family moved to Toronto, Canada, to establish the Kinney Shoes of Canada footwear retail business. Following the successful launch of that expansion, he and his family moved back to New York City in 1970, where he became the vice president and director of men’s footwear for Kinney Shoes USA.

In 1972, Doug joined Munro and Company, Inc., a Hot Springs–based shoe manufacturing company, as vice president of men’s footwear. He worked with Munro in a variety of positions for the next 24 years, including sales and product development and plant manager. He retired from Munro in 1996 and became a consultant for Munro and other shoe manufacturers in the South.

Doug was a member of First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Connect Group director for many years. He also served as building chairman for the church and properties manager for over ten years. Doug was a former member of the Downtown Rotary Club, serving on the board of directors. He also was a former board member of the Charitable Christian Medical Clinic, chairman of the resource development team, and a volunteer at Jackson House and Samaritan Ministries.

Doug is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Patsy; his daughter, Karen Ervin Dooley (George); his son, Steven Ervin (Jennifer); 11 grandchildren: Joseph Ervin (Carmen), Brittany Dooley, Haleigh Dooley, Will Ervin (Ariana), Rebekah Ervin Pritchard (Dylan), Trinity Dooley, Emily Ervin Hawkins (Cameron), Daniel Ervin, Hannah Ervin, Matthew Ervin, and Jed Ervin; and five great-grandchildren: Weston Ervin, Aurelia Ervin, Hudson Ervin, Thaddeus Ervin, and Sophia Pritchard.

A memorial service for Doug will be held on Thursday, March 5, at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Hot Springs. Doug’s greatest wish was that God be glorified in all he did and that people would be drawn to Christ. To that end, in lieu of flowers, he desired that memorials be directed to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 2350 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901, or to Friends of the Community Resource Center, 109 Hobson Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jeffrey Tauth and his staff, as well as the staff of LifeTouch Health Hospice, for their outstanding care of our husband, father, and grandfather.