Melvin Lee Roy Douglass

Melvin Lee Roy Douglass, 81, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2026. Born January 20, 1945, in Syracuse, Kansas, he was the son of Charles and Lois Douglass. Melvin later resided in Vancouver, Washington.

In 1951, the Douglass family made their way to Oregon, where Melvin’s life was shaped by both challenge and determination. After contracting polio, he spent a number of years at Shriners Hospital in Portland, Oregon—years that asked much of him and revealed a steady resilience that remained part of who he was. He completed his grade school years in Powell Valley and graduated from Reynolds High School in 1963.

Melvin was known as a hard-working man who found satisfaction in doing things well and seeing a job through. While working at Butterfields and attending a trade school, he discovered a path that suited him: automotive body and fender work. As a specialist in his craft, he brought a thoughtful, problem-solving mind to every project, taking pride in the details and the practical artistry of making things right again.

His interests reflected that same attentive spirit. He enjoyed cars and boats and could often be found at car shows or parades, or working on his 66 Chevy Impala SS convertible. Melvin had little patience for simply staying home and watching television; he preferred to keep his hands and mind engaged, whether with a puzzle or a model he was building. In these everyday pursuits, those who knew him saw the quiet strength of a beloved presence—steady, purposeful, and considerate in the ways that mattered.

Melvin is survived by his brother, Dewayne Douglass, and many nephews and nieces.

A Funeral Service will be held at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR 97030, US, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Douglass Cemetery, 1408 SW Hensley Rd, Troutdale, OR 97060 at 1:00 pm.