March 20, 1920- January 16, 2020
Eustace A. Douglas was born in Birds Hill, Clarendon, Jamaica on March 20, 1920 to James Douglas and Esther Shaw. He attended Birds Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church School. As a child, Eustace was very adventurous and loved the outdoors, where he spent much of his time fishing and swimming. He enjoyed working with his father and while doing so, he developed a love for carpentry and painting. Eustace also had a love for music - learning to play the piano, organ and harmonica by ear. He was so talented that he was often asked to play his harmonica at church and could play any hymn requested.
Because of his adventurous spirit, Eustace migrated to the US to assist in the war effort. This landed him in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he worked at the Springfield Gun Armory. While working in Springfield, he met and married his loving wife, Patricia L. Josey in 1945. This union produced 10 children- Murdock (Kathleen), Lelett (Raymond), Serle, Eustace Jr. (Denise), Kathy (Fred), James, Gary (Misty), Marcia (Albert), Kirk (Debby), and Sharyn (Gilford).
Eustace was a faithful husband and father. He worked several jobs to support his family. In 1965, he was recognized for his qualities of being a good father by the city of Springfield and was declared its Father-of-the Year. While in Springfield, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to start his construction business of buying, refurbishing and selling homes. He was so successful in this business that he decided to expand it. This caused him to move his family to California in 1967.
Douglas Construction became a flourishing business due to the efforts of Eustace and his brother Franklin. Not only was his family blessed by this business, others were also blessed because Eustace would employ men from within his community and from his church.
Eustace was raised in the Seventh-Day-Adventist Church. His father James was a pioneer in the Church and helped to spread the message throughout the country. Following in his Father’s footsteps, Eustace dedicated his life to serving God. Eustace faithfully assisted and supported many pastors by serving in several capacities: Deacon, Head Deacon, Elder, Head Elder, Sabbath School Teacher, Evangelism Leader, and conducting Bible studies, all of which brought many to Christ.
Eustace was very compassionate to those who were less fortunate. He worked in Missions feeding the homeless, and sometimes brought some of them home. He supported many churches financially and used his carpentry skills to repair and upgrade several churches. His kindness and selflessness knew no limits. For example, the winters in Springfield could be harsh and each Friday, before sunset, Eustace and his 3 oldest sons would put coal in the Church furnace for heat on Sabbath morning, and his sons would shovel the sidewalks. Eustace made sure all 10 of his children were raised to know the Lord and for this we are very grateful.
After 53 years of marriage, the loss of his wife Patricia, left a void in Eustace’s life. “Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.” God brought joy back into his life when Eustace met Lora Allen in Sacramento, California. Eustace found that he had many things in common with Lora - They both loved the Lord, they grew up in the Church, they were both from Jamaica, they loved to travel, and they each had many children.
Eustace married Lora on March 26, 2000. He was welcomed into Lora’s family by her 7 children- Debbie Buchanan Williams (Fiancé - James Lynton), Michael Allen (Sanchia), Andrew Allen (Colleen), Carla Crouser (Henry), Deanna Allen (Fiancé – George Brizuela), Donald Allen (Ann), and Rozanne Marrow (DeMont), and their extended family and circle of friends. He was affectionally called “Pappa D” by Lora’s family and he was a wonderful father to all of her children. In the absence of her father, Eustace stepped in and walked one of Lora’s daughters down the aisle at her wedding.
After living in Sacramento for a short time, Eustace and Lora moved to warmer weather in Miramar, Florida. At an age when most would not even think of doing so, Eustace used his amazing skills to transform their new house into a beautiful home by making numerous repairs and upgrades and by painting and tiling the entire house himself.
One of his favorite things to do was traveling. In addition to many road trips, they visited Jamaica and took a cruise to the Bahamas. During one of the road trips, they visited Palm Coast, Florida and fell in love with the area. Shortly after that, Eustace moved to Palm Coast with Lora and his brother Franklin, where he had extended family nearby. They knew this would be their final residence, especially after meeting the new church family at Palm Coast Seventh Day Adventist Church. Eustace looked forward to attending church every Sabbath and took great pride in participating in Sabbath School each week.
Eustace was preceded in death by his parents James & Esther, his first wife Patricia, his siblings Amos, Alice, Franklin and Ida, his daughter-in-law Denise, his son-in law Fred, his grandsons Colin and Malachi. He is survived by his loving wife Lora, his children, his step-children, 114 grand, great and great-great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, grand-nieces, nephews, grand-nephews, family and friends.
Eustace was affectionately known by many names- Eustace, Doug, Tes, Uncle Tes, Pappa D, Grandpa, Mr. Old Man, Bustamante, and Brother D. Regardless of how he was known to you, he was a man of endless compassion, great honor and integrity and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
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