Doug was born in Charlotte on March 8,1962 to Merrill and Winnie Piper and joyfully greeted by his brother and sister. They insisted that the rest of the kids on the school bus come in to meet him the day Doug came home from the hospital! He grew up in Waxhaw, NC, at the JAARS Center as his dad was a pilot with Wycliffe. He graduated from Parkwood High School and attended classes at Piedmont Community College.
People were important to Doug; he never met a stranger. Helping others was his joy. He was instrumental in starting a ministry in his church to do home repairs for those in need. For a time, he served on the Board of Directors of a Christian rehabilitation center and enjoyed helping people get the help they needed. He loved working with his hands, especially painting. Doug started his own business painting interiors and exteriors of homes, even using his skills to help people who couldn’t afford to hire him. Doug loved people and loved encouraging them.
When his boys were young he was very involved with their hockey leagues and was a big Charlotte Checkers fan. Tennis was always a joy in Doug’s life. Riding dirt bikes on back trails was another favorite hobby. Recently he posted a picture of a walker decked out with a motorcycle headlight and front fender, declaring that when he was old, this would be his walker.
Doug loved his family and was so proud of his boys. Whenever he heard music from the band “Flagship” playing, he would proudly tell folks, “That’s my son Drake’s band!” He was so proud of Dillon’s skill and advancement in tennis and was a proud Dad-loser in their games. He was proud of Dallas’ hard work in college and his recent trip to New Zealand as an exchange student. If you talked with Doug for long, you heard about his boys!
Whatever Doug did, he did it with passion and all of his might. He will be missed by all who knew him. Now he is exploring heaven and worshipping his Lord with that same joy and passion. You know, if heaven weren’t perfect, Doug would have some suggestions to improve the mansions!
Doug is survived by his three sons: Drake Margolnick, Dillon Piper and Dallas Piper, all of Charlotte, NC; his ex-wife, Kathy Highfill of Huntersville, NC; his sister-in-law, Janet Piper of Stuarts Draft, VA; and his sister and her husband, Stan and Dottie Smith of Greer, SC.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Ted Piper.
The family will receive friends on Friday night, July 6th, from 4:00-8:00PM at Forest Lawn West Funeral Home, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte. We welcome your dropping in to share your memories of Doug and encourage his family. This will be our opportunity to celebrate Doug’s life.
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