Win Douglass
March 16, 2012
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Service Details
Winfred Neil Douglass of West Des Moines died on March 16, 2012, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Ottumwa; he was 87. Win was born in Ames, Iowa, on December 27, 1924, the only son of Eunice Slocum and Winfred Harold Douglass. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 23, at 11 am, at St. Augustin Catholic Church, 42nd and Grand in Des Moines. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Funeral Mass of Resurrection.
Win was a life-long sports enthusiast with a special passion for Iowa State University. After attending Iowa State University (the College) and Notre Dame, Win graduated from Northwestern University in 1946 with a degree in broadcast journalism. He spent his early career working for radio stations in Burlington, Iowa, Corinth, Mississippi (where he met the love of his life, Nan), and Sioux City, Iowa. Win and Nan were married on April 14, 1950. They moved to Des Moines in 1952, where Win helped pioneer television broadcasting as a sportscaster on KRNT television. He later worked in advertising sales at KRNT, in Cedar Rapids, and finally ran his own ad agency in Des Moines. From 1979 to 1989 he directed public relations for the City of Des Moines. As an avid Cyclone, Win brought his broadcasting skills to Iowa State Football, where he provided public address and press box communication for nearly half a century, and was known to many as the voice of Iowa State Football.
Win has been an active and devoted member of St. Augustin Parish, where he served in numerous leadership positions including Cursillo, TEC, CEW, Renew and RCIA. Win was an energetic and active octogenarian, committed to life-long learning. He embraced new technology and never met a gadget he didn’t like. He enjoyed bicycling and snow skiing, and was healthy and fit. The last two years have forced him to turn increasingly inward as he dedicated his life to the care of Nan.
Win is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Nan, for whom he was a full-time care provider. He is further survived by two sons, Stephen of Ottumwa, and Michael of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Bee House of Des Moines; and grandchildren, Patrick of Des Moines, Haley of Chicago, and Samantha of Cedar Rapids. He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson, Ryan.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Douglass Family for the long-term support of Nan.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Judy Coningsby Hojati
03/23/2012
Dear Nan, Steve, and Mike,
So many fond memories of time spent with your family. Just the other day, Steve and I were watching some old movies that Dad had on tape of summer vacations camping in Clear Lake, learning to ski with Bubbles the boat pulling us behind, watching you guys clean the fish (I never did, yuck), and enduring the rain and soggy sleeping bags. I remember the wonderful "silver-dollar pancakes" that Win would so patiently make for us on those mornings after we kids spent the night at your house. Yum! Toboganning at Waveland! Wonderful, wonderful days. We all loved your family so very much.
Remembering you at this sad crossroads of your lives.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Hugs to you all.
Always and forever, Judy
Rick Durham
03/22/2012
So sorry to hear of Win's passing. You have my deepest sympathy. He and Nan were always so nice to me.
Mike Smith
03/22/2012
With my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Dennis and Penny Lenzendorf
03/22/2012
Michael,
Sorry to here of the loss of your father. You have our condolences.
Mary Drey
03/22/2012
To the Douglass Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of Win. He was a great man with an easy laugh and so bright! We've been corresponding at Christmas time for the last several years. Both he and Nan were dear friends of my parents, Bill and Rosemary Drey, both deceased years ago. Nan and I worked on TEC retreats and that's how I got to know them both. So tragic a loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. With sympathy, Mary Drey
Bryan Drey
03/22/2012
So sorry to hear of Win's death. with my deepest sympathies to Nan and his entire family. Bryan Drey
Pam Smith
03/21/2012
I wanted to let you know how much Win and Nan touched my life in the short time that I knew them. I volunteered for HCI Care Services and sat with Nan some Saturdays while Win went to mass. I was always so touched by the way he cared for her. His tender and patient ways with her were an inspiration. What an amazing couple. Their unfailing love for each other was apparent in many ways. I thank God to have been a part of their lives even if it was for a short time.
Sr. Mary Ann Foy
03/21/2012
Win is one of my heroes! I have always thought of him as a stalwart, supporting presence in the life of both Nan and all the friends the Douglasses have had over the years. The world has lost a great man. My hope is that Nan, who received Win's on-going dedication in recent years will be carefully tended to in the time that remains in her life. I send my prayers and condolences to all Win's survivors.
John Oler & The Oler Family
03/21/2012
There are not enough words to express my admiration and love for Win Douglass. He was like a second father to me growing up, Uncle Win. He was as close a friend as my father ever had. My dad passed nearly 37 years ago. Today I can see Don and Win shaking hands and embracing in the kingdom of heaven. My family and I send our love and heart felt sympathy. We share your grief at the passing of Win and we celebrate his life.
Michelle Blackler
03/21/2012
Michael,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Someone sent this poem to me during a time of loss in my life; I found great comfort in it. It is with that spirit, I share it with you.
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
With Sympathy,
Michelle Blackler
John & Betsy Freiburger
03/21/2012
Michael,
We send our sympathy at the passing of your father.
John & Betsy Freiburger
David Drey
03/21/2012
Win has exemplified so graciously a passion to live his faith from his heart. I will forever be grateful for His Spirit of Hospitality and Generosity. When I think of Win, in the same melody the tone of Nan sings with Grace. Two peas in a pod.:) Thank you God for enabling the "circle" of my life to intersect with the Blessing of your "servant", Win Douglas. Your Spirit will live on my friend, Christ's Peace, David Drey
Bill and Patti Brown
03/20/2012
Our lives have been enriched by knowing Win and Nan. We are blessed to have worked with them on the St. Augustin RCIA team, to have heard them share the stories of their faith journey which led them to the Catholic Church. Win loved life, he loved the Lord, he loved his wife. Win was a saint, a genuine saint. God has called one of his saints home.
Patrick and Sue Smith
03/20/2012
We are so saddened to hear of the loss of this wonderful man! Win and Nan were some of the first people we met when we made our home at St. Augustin Parish in 1992. Always so positive, so full of life and so dedicated to those he loved, Win will long be remembered by our family and kept close in our hearts and prayers. Heaven has claimed a giant!