October 10, 1943 in Austin, Texas to father Lonnie Ferris Sr. and mother Mary Esther Smith Ferris.
Douglas is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Sandra “Sandy” (Wheeler) Ferris; sons, Alan and his wife Denise Ferris, Kevin and his wife Julie Ferris and Daryl and his wife Tonya Ferris.
He also leaves behind six wonderful grandchildren: Amber, Ashley, Breanna, Luc, Cambyl, and Caden
and six great grandchildren: Coltin, Chase, Byntlee, Adalyn, Bowen, and Kashton.
Douglas Charles Ferris married Sandra Gayle Wheeler on June 24, 1966. He started with the Austin Police Department August 1, 1966, the day of the infamous Charles Whitman UT Tower shooting. Douglas was immediately assigned to direct traffic flow in and out of Brackenridge Hospital as the many victims were delivered by ambulance and civilian vehicles. Douglas left APD as the department's second Police Polygraphist and started his own private polygraph business with wife Sandra in 1979; known as Central Texas Polygraph.
Getting the business off the ground took dedication and hard work. To supplement until the business became successful Doug purchased and restored minor wrecked vehicles to sell in his garage where his two youngest sons, Kevin and Daryl, helped after homework and learned how to also do minor body work and restoration on cars.
In the 1990’s he went to work for the State of Texas as an investigator at the Austin State School and later retired from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners as an investigator.
He on occasion would conduct criminal investigative polygraph examinations for various Law Enforcement agencies and local attorneys.
He was also active in his churches to include being a Sunday School Teacher for young married adults.
He was also an avid fisherman, Bass fishing specifically, but he did enjoy fishing along the Texas Gulf Coast.
He is preceded in death by: his parents Lonnie and Mary Esther Ferris and his siblings: Lonnie Ferris Jr; Gertrude (Ferris) Hoppe; Franklin Ferris; and Marilea Kathryn (Ferris) Craig.
His last 4 years of life were battling Parkinson’s and Dementia, if you so desire in leu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice to help patients and loved ones who suffer with these incredibly debilitating diseases.
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