Douglas King

Douglas A. King Douglas A. King, aka "Dugal" aka "The Chief", of Lewiston MI, died January 4, 2018 at Sanctuary at the Shore in Grand Haven, MI, surrounded by his family, his music and his ever-present sense of humor. The "Barefoot Boy with Boots on" received his honorable discharge at 8:19 p.m. Special thanks to the staff at Sanctuary at the Shore for flanking this Sergeant of the USMC just prior to his discharge from the Unit, and for the spirit-filled prayer that winged him on his way to the Heavenlies. He was born to the late Gordon and Ruby (Proper) King in Albert Township on January 21, 1929. He attended Alma College, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences. He later went on to receive his Master's Degree from Michigan State University, in Education Administration/Educational Services. He married Audrey Francis Mowery on December 13, 1952, and together, they raised four children. From 1951-1953, he served in the USMC, based in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Once leaving active military, he continued to serve his country and his community through he and Audrey's involvement in the Lewiston American Legion Post #198, The Lewiston Masonic Lodge #581, and The Lewiston Historical Society. Passionate about education, he was a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent in Johannesburg, Lewiston, and Leslie, MI. After returning to the Lewiston area with his wife in 1980, he was a substitute teacher for Gaylord, Johannesburg, St. Mary's and Vanderbilt schools. It is fitting that he has gone on to "educate" even after his death, with the donation of his body to Michigan State University for research. Equally passionate about music, every community and family event was an opportunity for singing and playing his guitar along with his wife and friends, and regaling all who would listen with his vivid story-telling about life and history of the Lewiston area. He finally published his collection of stories in 2017, in a book, entitled, "The Door's Always Open," the motto he and his wife lived by towards everyone they met. He is survived by his children, David (Kathleen) King, of Grand Haven, MI, Gaye (Mike) Nieboer, of Holland, MI, Dennis (Laurie) King, of Spring Lake, MI, and Robbyn (Danny) Tygrett of Spring Lake, MI; Grandchildren, Wesley King, Vanessa King, Landon King, Erik Mason, Christian Deal, Nicole Vilminot, Charity Hutchins, Diane Brennan, Michael Nieboer, Jr., Aaron Nieboer, Melissa Petit, Kyle King, Trevor King, Kelly King, Shaina Kammerzell and Jaime McCool. In addition, he is survived by 27 great-grandchildren. All were his pride and joy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Ruby King; wife, Audrey (Mowery) King; sisters, Lyllis (King) Pitts and Thelma (King) Sawyer, and his brother, Sanderson King. A Celebration of Life is planned for him on May 12, 2018 to coincide with his wife's passing on May 11, 2012. The memorial service will be at Lewiston Congregational United Church of Christ Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11 a.m. The celebration will be held at the American Legion Post #198 at 4 p.m. All who knew and loved Doug and Audrey are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lewiston Historical Society.
He was born to the late Gordon and Ruby (Proper) King in Albert Township on January 21, 1929.
He attended Alma College, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences. He later went on to receive his Master's Degree from Michigan State University, in Education Administration/Educational Services.
He married Audrey Francis Mowery on December 13, 1952, and together, they raised four children.
From 1951-1953, he served in the USMC, based in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Once leaving active military, he continued to serve his country and his community through he and Audrey's involvement in the Lewiston American Legion Post #198, The Lewiston Masonic Lodge #581, and The Lewiston Historical Society.
Passionate about education, he was a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent in Johannesburg, Lewiston, and Leslie, MI. After returning to the Lewiston area with his wife in 1980, he was a substitute teacher for Gaylord, Johannesburg, St. Mary's and Vanderbilt schools. It is fitting that he has gone on to "educate" even after his death, with the donation of his body to Michigan State University for research.
Equally passionate about music, every community and family event was an opportunity for singing and playing his guitar along with his wife and friends, and regaling all who would listen with his vivid story-telling about life and history of the Lewiston area. He finally published his collection of stories in 2017, in a book, entitled, "The Door's Always Open," the motto he and his wife lived by towards everyone they met.
He is survived by his children, David (Kathleen) King, of Grand Haven, MI, Gaye (Mike) Nieboer, of Holland, MI, Dennis (Laurie) King, of Spring Lake, MI, and Robbyn (Danny) Tygrett of Spring Lake, MI; Grandchildren, Wesley King, Vanessa King, Landon King, Erik Mason, Christian Deal, Nicole Vilminot, Charity Hutchins, Diane Brennan, Michael Nieboer, Jr., Aaron Nieboer, Melissa Petit, Kyle King, Trevor King, Kelly King, Shaina Kammerzell and Jaime McCool. In addition, he is survived by 27 great-grandchildren. All were his pride and joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Ruby King; wife, Audrey (Mowery) King; sisters, Lyllis (King) Pitts and Thelma (King) Sawyer, and his brother, Sanderson King.
A Celebration of Life is planned for him on May 12, 2018 to coincide with his wife's passing on May 11, 2012. The memorial service will be at Lewiston Congregational United Church of Christ Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11 a.m.
The celebration will be held at the American Legion Post #198 at 4 p.m. All who knew and loved Doug and Audrey are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lewiston Historical Society.