Robert E Douglas

Robert (Bob) English Douglas, was born on December 13, 1935, to Willie Douglas and Lula Fitts Douglas, in Galatin, Tennessee. At a young age, his family moved to Indianapolis, where he was spiritually and emotionally nurtured by his aunts, uncles, and his grandparents, Jeff and Luella Fitts. Robert was married to J. (Betty) Miller for 67 years. From that union they had seven children, five sons and two daughters: Dyrl, Byron, Robert A., Alan (deceased), Marsha (deceased), Karen Douglas-Harrell (deceased), and Gary Sr. (Pamela). Robert was also preceded in death by his only sibling, William Earl Douglas. His family and friends used words to describe him like: loving, courageous, giving, humorous, and charismatic. He mostly shared positive energy and wise counsel with everyone he encountered. Robert attended Indianapolis Public Schools Elder W. Diggs #42, #17, and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School. While attending school, Robert excelled in academics and athletics. Robert also attended IUPUI and completed a Labor Relations Program. Although he never seriously considered the career of tailoring, while in high school, Robert enjoyed learning this expression of art. He was always very conscious of his attire and was equally aware of and known to give others compliments, such as saying “you are clean as a hotel chicken.” Robert was honorably discharged from the United States Army, where he served active duty as a paratrooper, for three years. As he said, “While I was in the Army, I jumped outta planes!” During his late 30’s, he began his long career working at Ford Motor Company. It was at Ford that he began to live into his “call to serve people.” Bob, as he was affectionately called at Ford, was an advocate for social justice. As a UAW (United Auto Workers) Local Committeeman and Regional Committeeman, Bob saved the jobs of many, many workers who encountered discrimination and unfair disciplinary practices. Even when the odds were against them (and him), he passionately fought for the rights of all auto workers, regardless of who they were. When Bob concluded his career at Ford and the UAW, he was serving as an International UAW Representative. Robert’s advice to one of his grandson’s and to all young people was “be so good they can’t ignore you.” He consistently encouraged others to strive for excellence. Robert loved his local sports teams. Throughout the years, his delight while watching the Indianapolis Colts, the Pacers, and IU basketball was contagious. Robert loved going to the casinos all over the country, as well as watching Tiger Woods play golf. In addition to his family listed above, Robert leaves to cherish his memory daughter, Patricia Douglas Goodrich (Preston); son, Robert E. Douglas; 20 grand-children; 30 great grand-children; 2 great-great grand-children; niece, Tanya Douglas-Cain (Henry); nephew, Steve Douglas (Donita); great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as an abundance of cousins and friends who loved him dearly. Our world is a better place because he was here.