Douglas E. Sasser

Douglas E. Sasser, 63, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2018 in St. Johns, FL. He was born July 23, 1954 to Felda and Marguerite Sasser at the Portsmith Naval Hospital in Virginia Beach, VA. His early childhood was spent in Savannah and Brunswick Georgia, and around the age of 6 his family moved to Jacksonville where he has lived ever since. Doug grew up on the Westside and graduated from Forrest High School, class of 1972. During high school Doug played football and basketball but was also heavily involved in DeMolay, a fraternal organization for young men which strives to shape them into leaders of character and citizenship. Starting in his teenage years, Doug also began lifeguarding at Timuquana Country Club and after graduating college progressed to be the Pool Manager and Operator in addition to his teaching and coaching career. He worked at Timuquana for just over 40 years and taught in the Duval County School system for 31 years. After high school and prior to working in the school system, Doug worked as a firefighter for a few years. But his true passion was teaching and coaching so he went back to school and graduated from JU with a degree in Education. He was the Athletic Director and taught physical education, coached basketball, but primarily coached football for about 21 years at Jeff Davis Middle School. For a change of pace, Doug spent the remainder of his teaching career teaching students Driver’s Education. In addition to his 2 jobs, he always found time to indulge in his favorite pastimes…playing basketball in numerous leagues in Jacksonville over the course of his life, and well into his fifties, along with watching his all time favorite Georgia Bulldogs’ football! He was also an avid Jacksonville Jaguars fan from day one of the team coming to town. He cherished his family and spending time with them. He was a devoted husband, father and friend who loved to make people laugh. Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Felda and Marguerite Sasser. He is survived by his wife of 23 years Stephanie, children Allison (Ben) Berry, Stephanie (John-ryan) Poterek, Danielle Sasser, Nicholas Sasser, and two twin grandsons Brantley and Brock. A memorial service will be held in his honor on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the old, historic St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 11757 Old St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32258. The funeral mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. and a reception will immediately follow in the Cody Family Enrichment Center located directly next to the historic church. HARDAGE-GIDDENS RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL PARK & FUNERAL HOME is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org).