Douglas Blake Stead

Doug was born on November 2nd, 1949 in New London, Connecticut to Evelyn Farrar and Roger Stead. Doug had two older sisters, Beverly and Susie. His life-long love of hotrods and all things mechanical began at an early age; he spent his adolescent years rebuilding engines and cars. In 1967, 18-year-old Doug drove himself halfway across the country in his Hotrod ’57 Chevy to begin his education at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In 1969, he achieved an associate degree in Applied Science in Automotive Service Technology then returned home to Connecticut.

Shortly thereafter, Doug was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in the Vietnam War. Because his father had recently passed away, Doug could have legally declined service as the now patriarch of the family. However, his desire to serve his country led him to not only fulfill his draft obligation, but to volunteer for the 101st Airborne Infantry Division. He completed basic training at Fort Polk, LA then went on to complete advanced infantry training at Fort Riley, Kansas. After being assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans!), he began his tour of duty along the Laotian border and DMZ in northern Vietnam. During his tour from January to December of 1971, Doug served as a radio telephone operator—one of the first ones into the fight and one of the last ones out. As a result of his outstanding soldiering skills and dedication to his country, Doug received ten commendations from his service in Vietnam which included the Bronze Star Medal for bravery and meritorious service in a combat zone and the Army Air Medal for conducting more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory.

Doug left the service in early 1972 and settled in Oklahoma City, OK where he began working as an auto service mechanic. He steadily advanced through the ranks through years of hard work, serving as a service director, parts manager, and used car sales director. During that time, he married Charlotte McBride and moved to Dallas, TX where his son, Zachary, was born in 1978. Doug eventually was hired by the Sewell Corporation in Dallas as an executive of the dealership. A few years later, he was transferred to the Sewell Cadillac-Chevrolet dealership of New Orleans, LA where he advanced to become the president and managing partner of the organization. His son, Travis, was born in 1988 and his son, Preston, was born in 1989. While in New Orleans, Doug also indulged his love of the ocean, boating, and fishing.

Doug’s leadership at the dealership in New Orleans led it to become one of the most successful Cadillac dealerships in the region. Doug and his organization received multiple awards and industry-wide recognition over the years for their excellence in sales, service, and customer satisfaction. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it was Doug’s Sewell dealership that was seen across national news after having hundreds of cars stolen; Doug personally led the effort to recover the stolen vehicles and rebuild the dealership.

In 2006, Doug decided to leave the Sewell organization and move back to Texas to become involved in the acquisition of several smaller dealerships; he then chose to retire in early 2007. He settled in Celina, TX with his beloved dog, Sunny. Doug took Sunny to the local veterinarian, Dr. Allison Schultz, for care. In November of 2007, their love story began. Doug and Allison were married on April 18th, 2009 in a small ceremony with friends and family in New Orleans. They continued to work and live in Celina, where Doug assisted Allison in the daily operation and management of her animal hospital. As all interesting people do, Doug developed multiple hobbies and interests over the years. He loved NHRA drag racing, hot rods, collecting firearms, photography, growing and maintaining bonsai trees and orchids, collecting and refurbishing a 1932 Ford, a 1970 El Camino, and a 1967 GTO, and wood working—his most recent passion. Doug created an entire wood working shop in the garage of his Celina home. Doug adored spending time with his son, Travis—cooking, grilling, and sharing a passion for guns and hot rods.

Doug is preceded in death by two of his sons, Zachary Roger Stead and Preston Taylor Stead, his parents, Evelyn and Roger Stead, and his sisters, Beverly Stead and Susie Stead Sebastian. He is survived by his wife, Allison Morse Stead, his son, Travis Jeffrey Stead, and his two stepdaughters, Kaylyn Amanda Schultz Appleyard and Lauren Summer Schultz.

As described by a close friend, Doug was a force to be reckoned with. He demanded excellence, and yet he was gentle, kind, and generous. He loved his wife and children completely. Even after the tragic losses of two of his sons, Zach and Preston, Doug was able to persevere and maintain a sense of hope and enjoyment of life. He was a friend and mentor to many, a father, and loving husband. He will be greatly missed and remembered with love.

Doug’s family kindly asks you to share your fondest memories of him by clicking the Add a Memory link below.

Doug was a true patriot and avid supporter of the U.S. military and first responders. Memorial contributions can be made to the Tunnels to Towers foundation, which builds mortgage-free smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.