Well, it's been 3 years, some days it seems like yesterday.  I miss Dad but have faith that he has moved on to a better place.  One with more depth and understanding than our human brains are capable of during our time on earth.   Some months after he died, I had a very vivid dream where he woke me by sitting on the edge of my bed for a chat.  I was shocked awake (I thought) and asked him what he was doing.  He said "nothing, just came to talk".  I told him he wasn't supposed to be here, he died, you can't just come back.  His reply "I can if I want to."  A very typical Dad statement.  Many days I wish that was true.

It's been a year now and so often I've been flooded with memories of Dad.  Him putting together a little car on Christmas Eve, walking the floor with Don while he was sick when he was little, the first time he ever made shish-kababs.  Going to the Villa Venice for my birthday & him getting the owner/chef to play his grand piano for me, him singing at Uncle Frank & Aunt JoJo's wedding.  Laughing & cleaning up the blue paint David got every where, telling the nun principal that she had no business ordering Dennis' hair to get cut,  And telling Sister Diane if she ever hit Dan's left hand with a ruler again, he'd take that ruler & hit her back. 
  There are so many things I wish I had mentioned at his funeral that showed wonderful things about his personality. for example, on his 75th B-day, some of us met up in Las Vegas for the weekend & he was playing roulette while we waited for Dan and Wanda to get there.  A young man came to his table & they struck up a conversation & the kid mentioned this was his weekend to live it up as he was being deployed to Iraq.  When Dad left the table to see Dan & Wanda, he shook hands with that young man, wished him a safe journey and return home, then quietly told the dealer that if any of his numbers came up to give the winnings to that kid.   While he lived with Don & Dan, he would buy ice cream for the neighbor kids when the truck stopped, and Don says people asked about Dad often after he died, and even now will stop by with a memory or story about him.   
    I miss him terribly, but I'm glad I helped take care of him, I'd do it all over again.

My heart goes out to the family of Don. He was a fun person to be around. I really enjoyed talking with him. I know the family will be telling "Don" stories for many years to come! God rest his soul! With Love, Ken Martin

I'm almost embarrassed to say that I, like many I'm sure, have a hard time processing the reality of a situation until it's put right in front of me. None more so than with death. 
Those final moments impose on us a frailty that tends to skew our memories more towards their decline. 
However, to honor our loved ones we stubbornly focus on the joys we shared. 
Fortunately my grampa made sure there would be plenty.
For me, No sooner had I worried that he seemed tired, that he jumped off the porch rolled across the lawn and popped up(as well as arthritis would allow) laughing like a kid.
I worried he seemed confused, only for him to sing along with Elvis on the radio without missing a note.
I sat beside him, fearing he was weak and worried, only to have him hold my hand as strong as it had ever been held and have him say to me "I'm ready.".
And so many more, as I'm sure you have as well.
That's just who our grampa, father, brother, uncle, friend, was.
For every sad thought we could have, he made sure we had an equally positive memory.
So, I invite you all to take a moment, whenever you feel low, and focus on a story he told, a dirty joke he whispered to you, silly thing you watched him do, and let it shine on your heart like sun through the clouds.
That is the love he always shared.
That is his legacy.

Vicki, Don, and Shannon (wife to Christopher)


I am so sorry to hear about Don's passing! We shared many good times together! Since Don was only a little older than me , for a number of years we would call each other early in the morning to wish each other Happy Birthday! We haven't had much contact in recent years. Don needed to live in a warmer climate than I do. I did get to visit him there a number of years ago.
         Eternal Rest Don! God bless your family during this difficult time!
          Love!
           Rich Maurer 

Victoria (Michael)

OBITUARY

Donald Douglas Sr.

November 5, 1937 – October 27, 2022

Kaul Funeral Home

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