Douglas James White Jr.

Doug was born in New York City to Douglas James White, Sr. and Margaret (Stillman) White. His sister, Julia, was born two years later. He spent his early years living in Interlaken Gardens near New York City, but in the summer of 1948, the family drove across the country and settled in Coos Bay, Oregon. Despite being the “new kid”, Doug made lifelong friends in Coos Bay and graduated from Marshfield High School in 1951. He enrolled at University of Oregon and while there decided to study law after he graduated. Doug earned his law degree at Willamette University, eventually clerking for Justice Gordon Sloan at the Oregon Supreme Court.

After graduating, Doug started out in private practice, but was introduced by law school classmates to his long-term professional home, the firm now known as Schwabe. At the firm, Doug helped develop its successful real estate law practice, and also enjoyed mentoring a number of promising young lawyers. Soon after moving to Portland, Doug was introduced to Denise Beale, another fairly recent arrival. The two married in 1960, and shared 64 remarkable years together. They settled in SW Portland, welcoming their sons Brian and Jim to the world in 1963 and 1968, respectively.

Doug’s family, sense of service, and his Catholic faith were the bedrock values on which he based all of his big decisions. He gave generously of his time and earnings to many who needed them. He volunteered for many years with St. Vincent De Paul, the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, Portland House of Umoja, Saturday Academy, and other groups. He loved singing with the Balladeers, going flyfishing with his sons and friends, traveling the world with Denise, and joining in almost any activity that included either his immediate or extended family.

Doug is survived by his wife Denise, sons Brian (Shoko) and Jim (former wife Terry Campos), grandson David, niece Krista Beale, and nephews Kevin (Joyce Snowbarger) Beale, Keith (Shoko) Beale, and Charles (Amy) Flaxel. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes remembrances be sent to St. Mary’s Home for Boys and Lifeworks NW.