Douglas Frank Jewell

Doug was born to Reverend Marvin and Alice Jewell on September 11, 1938 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He received a Masters degree in Philosophy from Michigan State University where he met his first wife, Virginia Lou (Ginny) Jewell (married June 23, 1961, deceased October 31, 2013).

After graduating from MSU, Doug took a job with Herff Jones in Rochester, NY, later transferring to their Corporate offices in Indianapolis, IN where he worked his way up to the top of the marketing department. For many years, he was instrumental in driving the success of the company and helped to transfer ownership of the business into the hands of its employees.

Doug Jewell is survived by his current wife Brenda Jewell and her daughter Cheri Martinez of Colorado Springs, CO, brother Dr. Marvin Jewell Jr. of Grand Rapids, MI (deceased October 16, 2025), and two children from his first marriage, David Douglas Jewell of Atlanta, GA and Kelli Jewell Alexander of Austin, TX.

Everyone was a friend to Doug. He got along with everyone he ever met. Gregarious, friendly, and engaging, he could always deliver an appropriate compliment to whomever caught his attention. Conversation was easy for Doug. He enjoyed in-depth discussions and could hold his own in friendly debates.

Doug loved to play golf often, to travel extensively and visit many countries around the world where he absorbed local cultures and collected the music of locals and indigenous people he encountered.

As a lover of music Doug took pride in supporting the schools of music at MSU and Indiana University, as well as other charities in the communities where he lived, devoting his time and love to people in need.

A celebration of the life of Doug Jewell will be held at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in the Corniche Conference Room at 11am on November 22, 2025. There will be a lunch following the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in his memory to:

Virginia(Mills) and Douglas F. Jewell Endowed Dean’s Scholarship in the College of Music by visiting the MSU Online Giving web site at: http://go.msu.edu/jewell

Please include designation code AE06077 and Doug’s full name in your donation (Douglas Frank Jewell).