Grandpa Emma and I enjoyed meeting you in person back in 2016.
Thank you for helping to shape the man and father that Gabe became. I will always be eternally grateful. We will miss you.

Grandpa, You were a big inspiration and guiding light me for me. You helped to shape that man and father that I became.  Thank you for being who you were. I will miss you greatly.


I will cherish our memories of Dad and my trip to Tennessee in 2012.  Especially our trip to Cades Cove in the Smokies!   Only this time Dad got to get his picture in front of the Smoky Mountain sign instead of us kids.   Dad loved his Tennessee family!

We loved the visit back in 2012! Tons of fun and being with Uncle Walter always gave me a little glimpse of PAPAW. I still really appreciate that visit. 
We are so thankful y’all came to see us. 

Every time I would visit Dad, Gloria and Ruben would have us over for a cook-out.  In 2014, Lisa, Erich and I went there together.   Great memories.  Dad swimming in the pool with the noodle!

Mom and Dad in Hawaii in the early 1970's.

Dad's Military Decorations from World War II.  He received many awards for heroism in battle and distinguished service while in the 
China Burma India, Offensive Japan, Pacific Theater.

I am so proud of you Dad.

Mom and Dad's 25th Anniversary celebration at Aunt Irene and Uncles' home in Granite City Illinois, August 1969 

We had a great day that trip with Gloria and Ruben.  The boys played pool and went swimming.  We even got Paw in the pool for a time.  He was having so much fun swimming with Gray and Erich.  Ruben joined in the pool too!  This was our summer visit 2017

We always spent a day visiting Grandmama and stopping in at the Cracker Barrel for lunch,  I just loved our vase for the flowers!  Yep ! country as country can be.  There were no vases at the house what can I say.

Erich was the winner every time against Gray.  Paw was watch and giving pointers on how to win.  Our summer 2017 visit.

We always had to see the sights of San Angelo every time we visited.  This was Gray's first visit with us to San Angelo.  

We would always stop in and visit with Gloria and Ruben.  They lived next door to Paw and Grandmama for many years there in San Angelo before they moved to the Retirement Center.

We would always play at least one game of pool every time we visited.  Occasionally, Erich or I would win.  Or Paw just let us win.

We always would go and do this every time we came to visit.  This is Paw playing winning a game of checkers with Erich in spring of 2018.  This was a tradition on our first day in San Angelo we do this every time we visited Paw.  

Every time we would visit we would spend  a day visiting with Grandmama then stopping in for lunch at the Cracker Barrel.  Paw loved their biscuits.  

Paw welcome Kristin into our crazy family and was very glad to meet her.

We had a wonderful visit with Paw that morning.  We laughed about the fun times that we had over the years.  It was very hard to leave.  Afterwards the kids and I went to all the same places Paw and us would go to visit when we were in San Angelo.  At the Sassy Fox we had the traditional ice cream cone and the boys played checkers at the table just like we did with Paw.

"There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, their light remains."

Dad's favorite Bible verse was Psalm 23.   I have fond memories of him reciting it to us kids in the car as he was driving.  I have so many beautiful memories of him.

Dad was born in Madison County Tennessee in 1923, and joined the military at 17 to fight in WWII.   He was part of the 20th Bomber Command in India which was known as the China/Burma/India Theater until the marines had taken Saipan and Tinian, then was transferred to the 313th Bomb Wing Command on Tinian.  This was part of the 509th and was there to the end of the war.  To hear Dad talk about it, I could almost image what it was like, the planes constantly coming and going, smell of the fuel and sound of the  crashing ocean waves.   He made it sound so real.  He said guys would say, they wanted to be on the plane that he was on because his plane always made it back, maybe all shot up, but made it back. 

One of the greatest gifts my Dad gave me everyday of my life, was that he believed in me.  That he was proud of me.  I remember as a little girl and even into young adulthood asking , "Daddy are you proud of me?" and he would always say, "Donna, I have always been proud of you."

My Dad was my inspiration, my light and my forever hero.  He was a man of great integrity; he was honest, and loyal and always tried to do the right thing.  He loved God, his family and his country.  He always looked for the good in people, even when there was doubt.

Dad used to say he was just a county boy from Tennessee but he was also an achiever.  He was part of the "Greatest Generation" and that generation didn't know how to fail. Whatever challenge he took on he succeeded with.  No matter how successful he became  he never lost sight of what really mattered in life.  His compassion drew people to him and he was constantly  lifting those around him with a kind word, a compliment or a humble ear.

Love you forever,
your daughter Donna

Walter was my Sweet Friend and Neighbor . . . . . and kinda like an Uncle because of being 6 months younger than my Dad. We enjoyed hugging every time we saw each other . . . . . until COVID struck, forcing us to do 'air hugs'. I look forward to seeing Walter again in Heaven someday! Many Condolences to his Loved Ones!

Dear Lisa, Donna, and Cindy,
My memories of your dad go way back to my own childhood.  He certainly lived a long and interesting life with many accomplishments.  In your grief I hope you will find comfort.

Love, your cousin, Sandy

OBITUARY

Walter R. Douglas

December 26, 1923 – June 19, 2022

Johnson's Funeral Home

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