Stewart "Doug" Blocker

“The world doesn’t owe you anything.” Stewart “Doug” Blocker lived by this mantra, and in his passing, left it to his children.

Doug passed away suddenly and unexpectedly Sunday, September 6, 2026. He will be remembered for having a big personality and a disposition that ranged between grouchy and gruff to being the most hilarious person in a room (often related to whether you ran into him at the beginning of the workweek, or the end).

Doug was born June 27, 1964 in Poteau, Oklahoma. He was raised by his mother, Ester Lee Clayton, and grandmother Jenny Brown. Both women served as early examples of hard work, dedication, and perseverance to he and his eight siblings: Shirley, Fred, Ocie, Wayne, Brenda, Catherine, Michelle, and Rochelle.

His early lessons of the mantra came as injury prevented him from succeeding in his life’s aspirations in football. Fatherhood further prompted him to put away his dreams in trade for workman’s boots- the very ones providing the proverbial bootstraps that he would pull himself and his family up on. He went on to spend the next forty years laboring for the success of himself and his children, thirty years of which he dedicated to his career as a machinist at Cessna Aircraft Company.

As a father, Doug was stern and demanding, but never required more effort from his children than he was willing to put forth himself. He taught them his mantra from a young age- “the world ain’t gonna give you nothing.” Actually, let’s be honest here, he said “shit”- “the world ain’t gonna give you shit.” And through hardship, resilience, and sacrifice, he proudly raised an educator, physician, and an entrepreneur, all of whom he touted as his greatest accomplishments.

Thankfully, Doug did not reserve his lessons for his children alone. He also imparted many an inspiring motto to hundreds of youth in his more than fifteen years as a little league football coach. These were often only slightly more appropriate, including phrases like, "now if you hurt yourself, all I can do is apply alcohol and rub," and "there's no use in wasting tears in crying when all those kids in *insert developing country here* have no water."

In his free time, Doug enjoyed reminiscing, sharing funny stories, watching sports- Dallas Cowboys and OU football (of course)- and riding his motorcycle “Boss Hogg”. He looked forward to retirement and traveling, with plans to be an intentionally grumpy Wal-Mart greeter as an enjoyable pastime. He also planned to ride around his neighborhood in a golf cart with a dog that he’d name “Buck”. If he were here today, his loved ones know that he would be clearing his throat and offering to sing “He’s Sweet, I Know” if no one else was prepared to do so.

Please help us in remembering him and his legacy of resilience, dedication, hard work, and humor.

Doug’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th Street N., Wichita, Kansas 67206, on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 12:00 pm. There will be family and friend greeting an hour prior.