Douglas Eugene Nash

On August 2, 1946, the world was not prepared for Doug to appear. The world had to adjust. Born the second child of Clinton and Theresa (Hughes) Nash, he proceeded to create gray hair in both as he and his brothers and sisters explored their childhood surroundings, not necessarily in a safe and sane manner. Fun was had by all (the children at least).

Over the years of his childhood, many moves occurred. Some were good, some not so good, but all were helping him to develop into the wonderful man he became.

After graduation from Madison High School, Doug allowed the Army to enjoy his presence. He became a “Fighting Army Chef” and provided many good “glops” for the troops. He was sent to Vietnam, where he was stationed at An Khe on Hon Kong Mountain.

Sometimes, however the troops were not real appreciative…

One instance while on Hon Kong Mountain was when a number of Air Force personnel cleaned out the food in a late night “snack.” He ended up serving oatmeal with no milk, no sugar, no bowls, no spoons. The troops had to figure that one out.

Or the time when he served liver and onions to Marines and others at Monterey Bay and then cooked himself a thick steak and ate it right beside them.

Or the time he accidentally used salt instead of sugar in the pancakes.

Good times. 

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Doug continued his journey by joining Portland General Electric. PGE has still not recovered.

Starting out as a meter reader, he transferred to the Storage Room, then was accepted as an Apprentice Meterman. This three-year course prepared him for his final career, Journeyman Meterman.

Meanwhile, Doug met the woman who was to be the LOVE of his Life, Nancy. Three weeks after meeting they both knew this was for keeps. A year later on March 10, 1973, they were married.

Following graduation from apprenticeship to Journeyman, Doug served out of the Western Division of PGE for many years. In that time and for the rest of his career, he was very involved in the I.B.E.W. Local 125 Union work. He believed emphatically that the Union was vital to the common employee and strived to keep it strong.

Over his working life, Doug served in many areas dedicated to the welfare of others…

Union meetings for Western. He ran these for years.

Union Examining Board—As Chairman for many years, he updated and improved ALL Journeyman tests for all fields the Union represented. His wife was “drafted” (volunteered?) to HELP him since he couldn’t type and she was a trained secretary. Much fun was had by …. well, moving along.

Board of Directors for EBA overseeing the insurance the Union maintained.

State Apprenticeship for Electrical Workers that oversees all apprentices in the State of Oregon. He created an Evaluation Worksheet that allowed both the trainer and the apprentice to comment on how well the training was proceeding. Others have improved this form over the years, but he was the one who instigated it. He also helped to create a Standard Operating Procedures Manual for the Board to use for overall information governing their oversight. Again, wife Nancy was drafted to make that happen.

Teacher of apprentices. He taught in the classroom as well as out in the field. When he was done with them, he had taught them to think not only inside the box, but outside the box. They learned that not everything can be found via a book. You had to be on your toes at all times and take each job as individual jobs.

Safety. He worked for many years and finally succeeded in getting OSHA taught to apprentices as well as others that improved safety for all.

Support. He advised and created letters to support Al King as that man worked to get community craftwork in schools. They succeeded.

He was always there for fellow workers, providing advice and protection when he saw a need.

A person ALWAYS knew where you stood with him.

Meanwhile, at the home front, two wonderful children came into his life, Jennifer and then Thomas. He adored them. He insisted they treat others with respect and compassion. To this day, they do.

Doug and his daughter shared enjoyment of horse back riding. Many times they would go up to the Flying M Ranch so they could ride for a few hours together.

He was at all Little League ball games in which his son played. He enjoyed swimming with Tom.

Working on projects around the house, he usually drafted one or the other to “help” him.

EXCEPT working on cars. Cars saw him coming and never cooperated even though he knew what he was doing. His wife would tell the kids to hide in their rooms if he went to work on one. Taxes no problem. But cars? RUN! His wife finally put her foot down and from then on cars were sent elsewhere for service.

Doug absolutely loved Christmas. He loved giving. It brought him great joy to provide something others could enjoy. Growing up, the family had many hard times where Christmas wasn’t much. He never forgot that and worked to make Christmas a time of joy. He would tell his wife to keep to a budget of so much and then go out and spend three times that amount, having a ball doing it. He gave to his wife, his Mom, brothers and sisters, their kids, his kids, his wife’s sisters and child and total strangers. It was HIS TIME!!!

He LOVED Football . After many tickets to many different football teams in the Portland area, he began buying season tickets to the University of Oregon Ducks and never looked back. For over 35 years he was there in bad and good seasons, bad and good weather rooting for them. He was there at the 0-0 game.

It was at one of these first games that he first met people who would remain an important part of his life and friendships. Nancy and his daughter were with him. Jenny was about four years old. It was pouring rain and Nancy needed to take Jenny to the car to get dry but she lost the whereabouts of the car. He had to take them to it. When he returned he was offered a beer by one of the people behind him. They then invited Doug and family to join them in tailgating with them. Thanks to that beer, Dennis and his wife Yvonne became life long friends. He valued them very much.

One of his most enjoyable memories was in 1994-95, he took the family to Disneyland and the Rose Bowl. The kids were old enough (16 and 14) to be turned loose in Disneyland to explore their specific interests and his wife and he could explore their interests. He enjoyed the night water show very much and taking water slide rides with his kids. Rose Bowl was fun. Friesian horse farms were visited so his daughter and he could ooh and ahh over their beautiful residents.

He enjoyed history.. If you started talking about the Civil War or WWII, he could quote you chapter and verse about many aspects and make it very interesting. Visiting Custer’s Little Big Horn was a high point in a vacation he took. He loved to learn about history whether war or just living.

And one other interest, not least of all interests….

When he left the Army the first purchase he made was a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe, the kind with the split window. That baby is now residing with his daughter. For years while raising a family, it sat locked in the garage waiting for better times. When Doug retired in 2001 at age 55, he proceeded to let the good times roll for his baby. A new paint job started the ball rolling. In the last two years of Doug’s life, he added new wheels and tires, new interior stuff and much more his wife hasn’t a clue occurred but knows Something occurred.

His daughter is not a corvette fan but is a Major “Daddy’s Corvette” fan. It has passed into excellent hands.

While he worked on his Coupe, he also bought himself a “retirement fun” car. This car became the “Duck” mobile. He put in a new motor and transmission, painted it Sunshine Gold yellow, put a new top, added a new radio and magnetic signs including Kenny Wheaton’s run against the Huskies. This 1973 Buick Centurion Convertible made a statement everywhere it was driven.

He then decided his wife needed a “Daisy” mobile. So he found a 1972 Mark IV Lincoln Continental, painted it emerald green and added “Daisy” magnetic signs.

All told, he did have fun with these vehicles.

Doug was also a Die-Hard Democrat and proud of it. He was never loud but he could hold his own within discussions with whoever was talking.

Doug was VERY savvy about people and life. He put that to use to help others. Family and friends Always knew he was there for them. He loved deeply his niece and nephews and the kids of his nephews. They all knew “Uncle Doug” was there for them no matter the circumstances, if they called, he always came.

When his niece needed transportation, he went with her to help her choose. He then surprised her by buying it and giving it to her. She was his kid just as much as his own kids.

When his nephews were beginning their adult lives, he was there providing advice, support, whatever they needed, physically or mentally. They were his kids just as much as his own kids.

If there were difficulties that needed savvy input, he was the person who provided. Whether it was fellow workers or family, his ability to analyze and then advise was profound. His common sense at all times helped all to figure out solutions.

Total strangers never knew who helped but received help anyway. If he came across someone needing help, he didn’t turn away.

Thanks to Vietnam, Doug struggled with diabetes since he was 29. However, he persevered in his life, refusing to let this despicable disease stop him from having a good life.

Doug retired at 55 after 35 years with PGE because the diabetes was causing health problems that could affect the safety of working. However, he continued to be in touch with his fellow workers, providing suggestions, advice and a sounding board concerning work and union business.

Doug applied and was accepted as a service-connected disabled veteran with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He and his wife along with the help of a VSO eventually received the compensation percentage and benefits commensurate with his disabilities.

Doug then talked his wife into establishing a website to help veterans figure out how to file a VA claim. He was very proud that www.howtoassemblevaclaims.com was helping thousands of veterans.

When Doug was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer in August 2012, his first thought was for his wife. He began fighting for TIME! Radiation, chemo, hospitalizations, weakness, sickness, pain, didn’t stop him. He continued to fight in order to make sure Nancy had everything in place for her care when he was gone.

For almost two years he stubbornly refused to quit. He went into the Hospice system June of 2013. At that time some doctors were predicting two weeks to six months at the most. He confounded them all. He wanted Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family. Done. He wanted Valentine’s Day. Done. He especially wanted his 41st anniversary with Nancy. DONE!!!!! He wanted to celebrate her birthday on March 29. Done! He wanted beyond April 1 for personal reasons. Done.

On March 30, he began failing. The nurse who came in to his home where he remained, said it was close. However he was aware the last week enough that all friends and family who visited knew he knew them. He had no pain from the cancer.

On April 5, 2014 Doug finally rested knowing all was right with his family.

Goodbye Doug. You touched so many lives, changed so many lives. Those who knew you will always remember you.

GO DUCKS!

KA7037