Douglas Redhead

Doug Redhead, 69, passed away on May 3, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones at Unity Point Hospice Taylor House after a courageous 6 year battle with stage 4 lung cancer.

Doug was a proud graduate of East High School in Des Moines, Iowa. He also graduated from Grand View, Drake and Iowa State University with his Bachelors and got his masters from Central Missouri State University.

Doug retired from the Department of Corrections after 30+ years of working for the State of Iowa. He built lasting relationships with his colleagues & was a proud AFSCME Union member/former steward. He firmly believed in the protection of workers’ rights.

After retirement, Doug was attending meetings with his brothers through the Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of the America’s and with his masonic brothers at Auburn-Union Park Lodge. He enjoyed spending mornings with his father playing pinochle & cribbage at the Northside Community Center. He’d visit his nephews at Northside Autobody in efforts to keep the title of “Uncle Crash” as well as end of the week with a drink and lively conversation. He loved canoeing down the Raccoon River, driving his 1970 Chevy truck and his 1959 Studebaker Lark (member of the Iowa Hawkeye Chapter of the Studebaker drivers club).

Doug was known for pouring love & time into his relationship with his girls, wife Kathleen & daughter Aileen as well as being an attentive, fun-loving grandpa “Pappy” to his grandsons Alex and Henry. He’d often take them to the various public libraries for story-time, have car picnics, took them to every splash pad/city park in Des Moines and attended their school events.

Doug had an infectious laugh, great smile & the best sense of humor – however odd and dry it was! He loved the absurd & the obscure. He believed in staying informed politically and being accepting/welcoming of others.

Doug is survived by his wife, Kathleen Redhead. Daughter Aileen Hunnell (Mike Weber) and Grandsons Alex and Henry Hunnell. His brother Fred Redhead (Terri) and honorary sister Jan Hornocker. He loved all of his many nephews and nieces very much.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents Marjorie Aileen Redhead and Wesley Dale Redhead and sibling, Wesley Earl Redhead.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Our Lady of the America’s Church at 9:00AM with his service to follow at 9:30AM. His celebration of life will be held immediately after at the Auburn-Union Lodge at 11AM. We ask that you come dressed in any of the following: red and/or black (for Dear East High) or in bibbed overalls (his beloved attire).

Memorial contributions may be made to East High School, 815 E. 13th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50316 – Scholarship Fund, attn; Madeline Cano.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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