Douglas A. Fleming

Longtime Puget Island resident, Douglas A. Fleming, 64, died as a result of a 4-wheel ATV accident July 31, 2011 in Clatsop County, OR.

Doug was born March 9, 1947 in Portland, OR to Gordon and Barbara (Leigh) Fleming. Doug and Karen (Powell) married in 1967, moved to Puget Island in1979, started their family of two children who live nearby, and enjoyed being a part of their two grandchildren's lives.

He lived life to the fullest, enjoyed telling jokes and stories, and helping his friends, family and neighbors in any way that he could. He kept in contact with his many friends from school and people that he met while traveling throughout the U.S., Mexico, Central America, Europe, and Russia. He was planning where to go next and would often make a spontaneous trip to visit a friend. Doug loved the Pacific Northwest for the hiking, camping, clam digging, sand sailing on the beaches, sailing on the Columbia River, scuba diving, driving through the flora and fauna of the forests.

Doug was a man of many interests and talents. After attending Grant High School in Portland, OR he studied metallurgy at Portland Community College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1972, worked as a welder and millwright, on the Alaska pipeline, a vehicle mechanic, decked on the ferry “Wahkiakum”, decked on tugboats on the Columbia River, decked on commercial fishing vessels both in Alaska and the Columbia River, operator of Marine Environmental boats, carpenter and all aspects of the building trades. You could see evidence of his artistic talents in all the work that he did as well as in his poetry, story writing, photography, pottery, metal art, carving, music, cooking, baking, landscaping, gardening, knot tying, and collections of well made useful items, folk art items, and oddities.

He served as a member of the Puget Island Fire Department and the Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services Advisory Board.

Doug is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Marjorie (Jason) Watkins, son Doug (Crystal) Fleming, grandchildren Daron and Genevieve Fleming, sisters Leigh Kenny, Ann (Keith) Warren, Chris (Rudy) Taron, brother Jerry (Joan) Burke, and numerous nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents.

Open to the public is a grave side service to be held 11 a.m., Saturday August 6 at the Greenwood Cemetery, Cathlamet, with a potluck Celebration of Life to follow immediately at the Norse Hall on Puget Island. There will be an open casket 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday August 5 at the Dowling Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars, P. O. Box 498, Cathlamet, WA 98612.