He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 26, 1944 to Paul L. and Norma W. Brown. As a boy, he remembers spending time at the Snake River but also the times that he and his dad went to San Franciso to see the SF Giants play baseball. He always described it as if it was yesterday. Throughout his years, he continued to follow the Giants through their seasons, whether good or bad. Early on, he would listen to the games on the radio and envision what was going on as the announcer was giving the play-by-play. Later on, he was connected and got to watch on TV and then later through streaming services. He could also tap into the games on his Kindle and watch the plays and rewatch some of the best highlights of the games.
Doug was also a trumpet player in the band, played football and graduated from Vale High School in 1962. After high school, he left home and attended the College of Idaho and graduated in 1966.
After leaving the College of Idaho, he then moved to Columbia, Missouri to attend the University of Missouri (Mizzou) for his graduate work. While pursuing his graduate work, he ended up making a life here, although he always remained a resident of Oregon. He enjoyed working at the University and talking to the students and hearing where they were from, their goals and aspirations. He was always one to start a conversation with anyone asking where they were from and if he could get away with it, begin discussing their political views.
Douglas graduated from the University of Missouri in 2004 with a degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History. That meant the world to him and he made his parents proud. With his tie to the University, he dedicated a tree to his parents in front of historic Jesse Hall that will forever leave his mark on the campus.
He had several life-long friendships both here and back home in Oregon. He was a HUGE Mizzou Fan of football and basketball. After retirement, he even attended a few Mizzou Women’s Basketball games and enjoyed every minute in the stands. He loved sports, history and politics. He would describe sports highlights from games long ago and know the scores like it was yesterday. He was always full of information to share with whomever he came across and could strike up a conversation with.
Doug worked at the University of Missouri – Campus Facilities for over 40 years of service to many locations during his time there. He worked at the Power Plant, General Services Building, Museum Services and Clydesdale for the College of Veterinary Medicine, just to name a few. He retired in May 2011. After retirement he would travel back to Oregon a few times a year to visit friends and enjoy the simple life in Vale.
He is survived by his “adopted” daughter, Cyndi Curnutte (Todd) of Rocheport, MO. Todd and Cyndi became acquainted with Doug at Mizzou and began inviting Doug to family meals, preparing meals for him, visiting with him and then Cyndi became the primary caregiver for him after many health issues and became his health care advocate to make sure that he received the care that he needed as his health continued to decline.
He is also survived by many lifelong friends that he greatly treasured.
John and JoAnn Recla, Vale Oregon
John and Linda McNeil, Vale Oregon
John and Lanae Gaskill, Ontario Oregon
John and Lois Taggart, Ontario Oregon
Dr. Tony and Collette Mann, Columbia Missouri
Danielle Tucker, Chicago Illinois
Sandra Jefferson, Columbia Missouri
He is proceeded in death by both is father and mother.
A Celebration of Life will be held with friends in Vale, Oregon at a future date and then he will join his father and mother at Valley View Cemetery.
Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com
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