Leland Ray Douglas, 87, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, at Cox South.
He was born Jan. 31, 1922, in the White Rock Community west of Houston, son of Oscar Lee and Lottie Hoeck Douglas. He and Doris Faye Branson were married Nov. 21, 1945. He later married Ruby Wilcoxin on Feb. 2, 1986.
Leland was the middle child of seven children and the second-oldest son. His responsibilities as a boy included riding horseback to have the family’s corn ground into meal and harnessing the team of horses to work in the fields.
He attended school at White Rock and spent one year working on the construction of Fort Leonard Wood before completing graduation at Houston High School. He also worked as a driver for John Scheets at High Town.
He enlisted into the Army on Dec. 4, 1942, and was honorably discharged Oct. 18, 1945. He served in the 7th Army Infantry Division and participated in various amphibious landings in the Pacific campaign of World War II. He served in Alaska, the Marshall Islands, Marion Islands, Philippines and Japan. He was wounded three times, earning the Purple Heart and two oak leaf clusters. He also was awarded five Bronze Stars for meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy.
He and his wife, Doris, operated a dairy and beef farm. They sold milk, raised their own replacement stock and grew hay.
He accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized at an early age. Until 1987, he was actively involved with Oak Hill Christian Church. He later attended First Church of God after moving to Houston and faithfully attended until his death.
Upon retirement, he was a board member for the Houston Senior Center. He cultivated a garden and shared produce to his friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a wife, Doris, in 1985; a wife, Ruby, on Sept. 27, 2008; a sister, Margaret Walls; and a son, Leland Roy Douglas Jr.
Survivors include two daughters, Evelyn Hickerson of Phillipsburg and Cathy Sirdoreus of Bucyrus; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers, Cecil Douglas of South Jordan, Utah, and Walter Douglas and Herbert Douglas of Houston; two sisters, Lois Steele of Phoenix, Ariz., and Gladys Criss of Bothel, Wash.; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Service were Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Eugene Earp and the Rev. James Powell officiating. Burial was in White Rock Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Texas County Gideons. Online condolences may be made at www.evansfh.com.
