Merle Lewis Douglas' Obituary
Merle Lewis Douglas 1916-2016Merle Lewis Douglas, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather, passed away peacefully at daughter Elaine’s home in Collinsville, Oklahoma July 1, 2016. He lived to be 100 years and 9 days of age.Merle was born June 22, 1916, in Waldron, Arkansas, the 4th son of 9 children of Lewis and Effie Douglas. Born during the tough times of the Depression, it was instilled in him to work hard to survive….sometimes working for 50 cents a day. His work ethic was unmeasurable, yet uncompromising.He was married to Clara Hudspeth on July 1, 1939, being married 63 years at the time of her death. They would have celebrated 77 years of marriage on the day of his passing.Merle was a Carpenter, Hardware Store Manager, and Funeral Director in Arkansas during the 1940’s. Moving to Tulsa in 1952 he went to work for McDonald Douglas Aircraft as the Tool Crib Lead man for over 30 years. He enjoyed fishing, baseball, rodeos and just tinkering in the garage…he could fix just about anything brought to him for repair. He was also the oldest living Oklahoma Mason, being a member of the Red Fork/Brookside Masonic Lodge #505 for over 50 years.Merle is survived by daughters Sharon Ryan of Lubbock, Texas, Elaine Benson and her husband Ed, of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Vicki Schulz and her husband Bill of Tulsa Oklahoma, 9 Grand Children, and 13 Great Grand Children.He was devoted to his family and friends, willing to help anyone who would first help themselves, loved and admired by many, and the absolute Pillar of Strength of the family, never to be replaced.The family would like to thank Rose Rock Hospice for their extreme kindness, comfort, and care of their Father, and the members of the Masonic Temple #505 for their contribution to the celebration of life for Merle Lewis Douglas.
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