Obituary: Douglass, Emmett “Doug”
Age 95
He was an honorable man and a gentleman.
Doug was born in Wisdom, Montana on September 23, 1918, the beginning of his lifelong love and passion for the State of Montana, for ranching, and the ‘Big Sky’ country.
He told many stories of adventures on working ranches, traveling in the deep snow, of sheep and cattle, haying, and raising 4-H award winning sheep, including a Grand Champion while growing up in Whitehall, Montana.
Doug enlisted in the Marine Corps in October, 1940 in Spokane, proudly serving in the Pacific Theatre during WWII (New Zealand, Hawaii, Saipan and San Diego).
Doug recently received recognition from New Zealand’s ambassador to the United States in appreciation for the Marine Corps’ service to New Zealand during WWII.
Doug married Nora Carlson, who he met while attending Kinman Business College in Spokane.
They married on March 30, 1945, in Glendale, California, and lived in San Diego until Doug was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in December, 1945.
Doug and Nora were married for 65 years.
Nora passed away in November, 2010.
Doug was an enthusiastic ballroom dancer throughout his life.
He also enjoyed crafting many award winning treasures from wood, including replicas of buildings remembered from his childhood, a magnificent doll house and a church; each complete with intricate and detailed pieces of miniature furniture made from his hand and lovingly decorated by Nora.
He is survived by the joys of his life: his two daughters, Julie Castle of Spokane and her husband, Jon Castle, and Marlene Spencer of Hayden, Idaho, and her husband, John Spencer.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kate Munter of San Diego, California, Alanna Spencer of Seattle, Washington and Audra Spencer of Hayden, Idaho.
Doug is also survived by his sister-in-law, Norine Carlson, of Spokane; a niece, Paula Wood of Puyallup, Washington, and nephew, James Conzelman of Washington D.C. Doug’s sister, Katherine Conzelman, passed away in December, 2010.
His family is grateful for Doug’s very dear friend, Fran, who was his special companion in recent months, who brought much happiness to his life.
Doug is also survived by his dear friend, Hermie, with whom he shared memories of military service during WWII and Christian fellowship.
Thank you, too, Dave Fithian, for your special devotion to our dad.
We are grateful for the care and compassion shown to him by his extraordinary caregivers and staff at Brookdale Place at Northpointe.
Doug is greatly missed, but we are comforted and encouraged to know he is in God’s loving presence, with many dear loved ones and friends.
There will be an informal gathering of family and friends to honor his memory at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery on June 13.