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DOUGLAS, LESLIE
'Grandpa' Leslie Douglas went home to be with the Lord November 22, just three months short of his 100th birthday. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, February 21, 1918, the second of four children of Calvin Chapman Douglas and Mary Baskin Douglas. Leslie grew up in Lake Worth, Florida and graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1938. He went on to the University of Florida where he earned an AA in Education before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1942. While stationed in Columbus, Ohio, he met and married Wilma Madeline Davis in 1943. Following military service Leslie enrolled at Ohio State University, where he earned a BA in Education in 1944 and an MA in Vocational and Industrial Arts Education in 1946. He taught in Columbus Ohio Schools for 14 years while he and Wilma raised three children.
In 1958, the family moved to Boynton Beach, Florida, where he continued his teaching career in Palm Beach County Schools. He retired in 1981 and he and Wilma moved to Ocala. They became active members of First United Methodist Church and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Munroe Regional Medical Center. Leslie was a 33rd degree Mason and member of Marion Dunn Lodge #19 and Ocala Scottish Rite. Leslie and Wilma were married 69 years before her death in 2012.
Leslie was a wonderful story teller with a real talent for making people laugh. He loved working with his hands and could build almost anything. A master woodworker, he designed and built over 50 chests of drawers, grandfather clocks, benches, chairs, three-wheeled 'kiddie cars' (one of which he sent to the White House for Barbara Bush's grandchildren), and many toys and puzzles. He shared his craft with the Cracker Workshop of Ocala. He enjoyed gardening and grew orchids, staghorn ferns and camellias and was a member of both the Orchid and Camellia Societies. He loved antique cars and owned and drove several during his lifetime.
Leslie was predeceased by his parents, Calvin and Mary Douglas; brothers, Calvin Chapman Douglas, Jr. and Paul Thompson Douglas; sister, Josephine Douglas Brown; his beloved wife, Wilma; son-in-law, Ben Ayres; and great grandson, Michael Booker.
He is survived by his three children, Carolyn Ayres, Brian (Debbie) Douglas and Norman (Susan) Douglas; seven grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.
The family is planning a celebration of his life in Palm Beach County in February on Leslie's 100th birthday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Ocala or Hospice of Marion County.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Having known Mr. Les through the stories he told at Cracker Workshop, he will be greatly missed.
Tom Seager
January 7, 2018
When we lived at Lake Fay in Ocklawaha Mr & Mrs. Douglas were our neighbors. What a wonderful couple. We all loved them & enjoyed spending time at their house. We even shared a dog. Our birddog,Rex, would take his food dish to their house. To his family so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man. Harriette Watford
December 10, 2017
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