Fred T. Douglas

Fred Turner Douglas, 88, of Canoga Park, California, passed away April 9, 2015 at home with his two daughters at his side under the wonderful care of Roze Room hospice. He was born at home on a farm October 21, 1926 in Vaughn, Arkansas to Garland Augustus and Mary Elizabeth Douglas, both former US Postmasters and farmers. He had two brothers, Gus Garland Douglas and Rex Douglas, who predeceased him and a sister Martha Ann. He graduated from Ketchum High School in Oklahoma in 1945. He served in the US Army Air Corp in the 818th Squadron as an Air Engineer, mostly in France and Germany in 1945-46 and later in the reserves as a 2nd Lt in the Air Force Ordinance Corps until October 1952. He graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma A and M University, now OSU in 1952. In May 1955, he married Carol Leigh Hogan who he met in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she was a registered nurse. He was widowed in 1971 and never remarried.

In 1958, he moved his young family to Southern California where he was employed by North American Rockwell in the aerospace industry with the goal of putting man on the moon. In 1972 he went to work for the City of Los Angeles as a pressure vessel inspector where his district included the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood areas for 25 years.

He was an devoted, faithful, active member of American Legion Post 826 in Woodland Hills, California for 56 years. In addition to serving 25 years as past commender of the post, he fulfilled many other roles including as a delegate to state and national American Legion conventions and commander of the 20th district for the State of California. His hobbies included photography, carpentry, car mechanics, traveled to visit families, gardening, being a good friend and neighbor. He relished home improvement projects on his abode where he lived as an original owner for 58 years. He modeled a healthy, balanced lifestyle with good attention to his diet, exercise and time outdoors. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather.

He is survived by two daughters, Janet Douglas of Flagstaff, Arizona and Karen Riesinger of Portland, Oregon. Other surviving family members are son-in law Ron Riesinger and granddaughters, Amelia and Carolyn Riesinger of Portland, Oregon. His sister Martha and brother in law John Rowe of Lawrence, Kansas. His nieces and nephews include Melissa Schnucker (Chris) of Hilliard, Ohio with children Hannah, Calvin and Claire; Andy Rowe of Chicago,IL; Margie Kopeke (Mark) Lawrence, Kansas with daughter Rachel ( Joe) Pittoco and newborn son Gabriel Pittoco of Kirksville, MO: Maribeth (Wes) Revels of St. Joseph, Missouri; Cindy Sheahan ( Mark) of Columbus, Ohio with children Jessie, Kari and Matthew; Mark Douglas ( Bonnie) in Cheshire, Conn with children Evan, Tyler and Melanie; and Suzanne Douglas Oklahoma, City, Oklahoma whose sons are Paul, Lucas and Caleb Grider.

The funeral service and internment will be Monday, April 20, 2015 at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California at 10:00 am. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post 826 in Woodland Hills. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Salvation Army in Fred's name as he supported this group for many years.