In Memory of

Douglas

Wilson

Obituary for Douglas Wilson

Doug Wilson
Douglas Wilson, “Dad”, uncle, and “Grandfather” (as he was known by his grandchildren and great grandchildren) was a family man and an adventurer. He will be remembered as being kind hearted, soft spoken and a thoughtful gentleman by all who knew him. He was born in a small farmhouse on a ranch near Florence, Texas on December 18, 1922.
His childhood took him from his rural east Texas roots to Lubbock, Texas and on to Los Angeles, California where he graduated from high school and joined his two older brothers with a passion for airplanes. He piloted a PBM seaplane for the Navy during WWII. Afterwards, he attended Stanford University where he met the love of his life, Charline Baker to whom he was married for 67 years.
He graduated from Stanford with a degree in Geology, his bride Charline, and his infant son, Bruce. He spent much of the next 10 years exploring the Southwest looking for oil and growing his family, adding Marc, Cheri and Kevin. He then returned to Southern California and spent the next ten years working in aerospace, managing forward planning and government contracts (using early computers), while caring for his family and adventuring into the sports of hiking, sailing, tennis and golf, relaxing with gardening and enjoying his passion for hawaiian, classical, opera, musical theater, and jazz music.
Then, as “empty nesters”, he and Charline ended up living their dream on Kaua’i, the garden island, for thirty years. They sold beachfront properties through Wilson Realty as he continued to enjoy gardening, hiking, boating, tennis and golf. He and Charline also explored the world through trips to the south Pacific, Japan and Europe. They especially enjoyed cruise ships, sailing on the Lurline from California to Hawaii, and on the Danube River, and through the Alaska inside passage, among others. They immersed themselves in Hawaiian culture through island cruises, luaus, museums and cultural events. They shared their love of Hawaii with a family that now included six granddaughters who visited regularly, especially Alissa and Kristin, who lived nearby on Kaua’i.
For the last chapter of their lives they moved to another island, Whidbey, in Washington state where they were near their daughter, Cheri, and son, Marc, and continued to enjoy golf and gardening. He also expanded his computer skills, managing his affairs and communicating with family and friends.
This year, Doug joined Charline, passing on February 26, 2018, after a brief illness, while in the loving care of Cheri, Kevin, and Marc and the staff at Careage in Coupeville. His surviving family include his four children and partners, Bruce, Marc and Anza, Cheri, Kevin and Kathy, his six granddaughters and partners, Sharon and Nathan, Holly and John, Alissa and Greg, Kristin and Hansen, Adrienne and Michael, and Anna, and seven great grandchildren, Maddie, Mason, Charlie, Daylen, Ekam, Phoebe, and Skyler. From a ranch kid, to a navy pilot, to a geologist, to a husband and father and grandfather, to a sportsman and friend and gentleman, Doug/Dad/Grandfather gave his great aloha to everyone. He will be missed and remembered with love and appreciation.
In place of any gifts, please make a donation to your favorite charity in honor of him. The family is planning for a celebration of his life later this year in Southern California.