Dr. George Wayne Douglas

DOUGLAS, Dr. George Wayne Passed away on February 10, 2005 at Cowichan District Hospital, Duncan, BC. His wife, Sylvia Mayer Douglas, and other family members were with him in his final hours. Following his last battle with cancer, Wayne goes to join his favourite cat, Garfield. Now the two of them can finish that book! He was predeceased by his parents, George and Olive Douglas, baby brother David Charles, and baby sister Judy. 'Pops' will be missed by son Geordie (Mary MacPhail) and grandchildren MacKenzie and Ryder of Bexley, Ohio. Called Wayne by the family, he is also survived by siblings Bonnie (John) Atkinson, Marilyn, David (Debbie), and Rob (Helen), and numerous nieces and nephews. Known professionally as George W. Douglas, botanist and ecological consultant, his passing will be noticed by those concerned with the cataloguing and preservation of rare and endangered plants in the Pacific Northwest. Wayne's love of nature had its roots in his early years spent at the base of Burnaby Mountain. Born on June 22, 1938, in New Westminster, BC, he grew up on North Road in the Burquitlam neighbourhood. When Wayne died, he was living on North Road in Duncan. During his teenage years, Wayne was nuts about sports and played basketball in high school. Later in life, golf was his passion. When he wasn't writing or growing unusual vegetables in the garden or preparing a gourmet meal at home, Wayne could be found on a golf course. George W. earned both his B.Sc. and his M.Sc. from the University of Washington (College of Forest Resources), Seattle, WA. He received his Ph.D. (1973) from the University of Alberta (Department of Botany), Edmonton, AB. While working towards his doctorate, he had a number of part-time jobs: mill worker, cannery worker, abattoir worker, ambulance driver and taxi driver. Each one made him truly appreciate being able to work at something he loved. Early on in his career, he was the chief ecologist examining vegetation and soils of Kluane National Park, YT. George W. was a prolific researcher; the series on The Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) of British Columbia is part of his work. He was also proud of his contribution to the four volumes of The Vascular Plants of British Columbia (1989 1994), the Rare Vascular Plants of British Columbia (1998), the Rare Native Vascular Plants of British Columbia, 2nd Ed. (2002), eight volumes of the Illustrated Flora of British Columbia (1998 2002), numerous contributions to COSEWIC, and various books of botanical interest. In the Cowichan Valley, G. W. Douglas was one of three authors reporting on the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. A tea to celebrate the life of Dr. George Wayne Douglas will be held at Royal Colwood Golf Course (629 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria) on Sunday, March 20, 2005, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in his memory may be made to: Nature Conservancy Canada, 1205 Broad Street, Suite 300, Victoria, BC V8W 2A4 or to an organization of your choice involved in the conservation and preservation of nature. Condolences may be offered at www.sands-funeral.com 44525