At the funeral, the word...
Illustration
At the funeral, the word most often spoken about Doug was determination. Doug was an active member of his college fraternity, well-liked by his fraternity brothers, classmates, and professors. Whenever there was a service project or fund-
raising event, Doug was always on hand to lend his assistance or verbal encouragement, if nothing else. On such occasions, people who did not know Doug marvelled at how much he could accomplish, as Doug was confined to a motorized wheelchair -- the result of a parachute accident suffered in combat during the Vietnam War. In spite of deteriorating physical capabilities, Doug had chosen to complete his college degree in the areas of business and computer science. Frequently hospitalized, Doug amazed doctors, teachers, and friends alike with his willpower and his ability to stay on top of his studies even when he was forced to miss classes. With only two semesters remaining to complete his degree, Doug looked forward to graduation. His friends also knew he looked forward to participating in a long-awaited trip to Disneyland with his fraternity. Doug had never been to Disneyland and he wanted to see it, even though he could not go on many of the rides. Most of all, he wanted to see the electrical parade on Main Street, U.S.A. -- with so many marvelous Disney characters marching in the parade -- and shake hands with Mickey Mouse. When Doug was hospitalized shortly before the trip, no one believed he would leave the hospital. Once more, he surprised everyone. Although the trip was a severe drain on his limited physical resources, Doug went to Disneyland as planned. Nothing could dampen his spirits. Doug was able to shake hands with Mickey Mouse and many other characters that day, but trouble loomed when it seemed that he would not be able to see much of the electrical parade from his wheelchair; large crowds prevented him from getting a front row seat. Knowing how much it meant to him, several fraternity brothers held Doug up on their shoulders so he could see the parade. Tears of joy flowed down Doug's face as the parade came to an end and the fireworks exploded over Tinkerbell's Castle. Doug's friends cried with him, sharing a special bond of love and concern. When Doug passed away soon afterward, he was buried wearing his Mouseketeer cap, and there were many other pairs of mouse ears in evidence at his funeral. -- Parker
raising event, Doug was always on hand to lend his assistance or verbal encouragement, if nothing else. On such occasions, people who did not know Doug marvelled at how much he could accomplish, as Doug was confined to a motorized wheelchair -- the result of a parachute accident suffered in combat during the Vietnam War. In spite of deteriorating physical capabilities, Doug had chosen to complete his college degree in the areas of business and computer science. Frequently hospitalized, Doug amazed doctors, teachers, and friends alike with his willpower and his ability to stay on top of his studies even when he was forced to miss classes. With only two semesters remaining to complete his degree, Doug looked forward to graduation. His friends also knew he looked forward to participating in a long-awaited trip to Disneyland with his fraternity. Doug had never been to Disneyland and he wanted to see it, even though he could not go on many of the rides. Most of all, he wanted to see the electrical parade on Main Street, U.S.A. -- with so many marvelous Disney characters marching in the parade -- and shake hands with Mickey Mouse. When Doug was hospitalized shortly before the trip, no one believed he would leave the hospital. Once more, he surprised everyone. Although the trip was a severe drain on his limited physical resources, Doug went to Disneyland as planned. Nothing could dampen his spirits. Doug was able to shake hands with Mickey Mouse and many other characters that day, but trouble loomed when it seemed that he would not be able to see much of the electrical parade from his wheelchair; large crowds prevented him from getting a front row seat. Knowing how much it meant to him, several fraternity brothers held Doug up on their shoulders so he could see the parade. Tears of joy flowed down Doug's face as the parade came to an end and the fireworks exploded over Tinkerbell's Castle. Doug's friends cried with him, sharing a special bond of love and concern. When Doug passed away soon afterward, he was buried wearing his Mouseketeer cap, and there were many other pairs of mouse ears in evidence at his funeral. -- Parker
