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Douglas Istas Obituary
October 16, 1941 - June 2, 2025
Fresno, California - Douglas Brian Istas of Fresno, California passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025 with his wife of more than 21 years, Carol Claborn Istas by his side.
Doug was born October 16, 1941 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Everett and Margaret Istas, and was raised in Marinette, Wisconsin following the death of his father--a lieutenant in the US Navy--during World War II. The family relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1955, where Doug attended Central High School. Doug was a natural athlete who excelled in baseball, basketball, cross country and golf. He attended Iowa State University on a basketball and baseball scholarship, and graduated from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
In 1963 Doug married Jeanie Carpenter Istas and they relocated to California in 1966. He was a sales rep for the 3M Company, lived in Walnut Creek with his young family and loved California. He was a die-hard fan of both the Oakland As and the Warriors and enjoyed exploring all that California has to offer. In 1975 Doug relocated to Fresno to manage sales for an athletics surfacing company, and eventually started his own company--Sports Surfacing--which installed and surfaced tennis courts and running tracks throughout the San Joaquin Valley for more than 20 years.
Doug was a lifelong sports fan who enjoyed being both a participant and a spectator and was always up for a friendly wager. He had a larger-than-life personality and loved to spend time laughing and playing with his family. He was a great organizer of games and was always an enthusiastic master of ceremonies, whether hosting a small backyard barbecue or attending a larger family reunion. Once an event or trip had ended Doug would immediately start planning for the next one.
Doug is survived by his wife, Carol Claborn Istas, his 4 siblings, James Istas, Cynthia Horowitz, Robert Yaeger, and John Yaeger, his daughter, Holly Istas of Davis, CA, his son Andrew Istas of Los Gatos, CA, his son Adam Istas of Davis, CA and his 3 beloved grandchildren, Emma Thomsen, Finn Thomsen and Nina Istas, as well as many nieces and nephews. His family will miss him greatly and treasure our memories of him always.
A celebration of life will be held later in the summer.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Istas
6 Entries
Paul Johnson
July 2, 2025
Lots of respect and caring for Doug and the Istas (and Yaeger) family while I was growing up.
Paul Javis Johnson
July 1, 2025
Doug was one of the reasons that I and his brother Bob (who was the best man in my wedding) were so interested in sports. Wonderful family.
Duke Ramshaw
June 29, 2025
Doug and Carol have been my next door neighbors and dear friends for over 25 years. Doug and I golfed together for years, which Doug insisted always included some degree of a wager.
We had many evening gatherings with other close neighborhood friends. Doug would always bring some type of a game for us to play (compete), which led to much fun and laughter.
So many good times.
Doug had a tremendous belly laugh that I´ll always remember.
Mostly, Dougie was a dear friend that I will miss greatly.
My deepest, heartfelt condolences to Carol and the family.
Duke Ramshaw
Donna Mott
June 29, 2025
I still have many two dollar bills as "wins" from games played in the Istas home. Wishing peace to the family.
Terry Miller
June 26, 2025
Doug was a longtime friend from a wonderful family Rest in Peace friend
Paul Johnson
June 20, 2025
Doug was part of a family that inspired me greatly. His gifts as an athlete were one of the reasons that I played and enjoyed sports my entire life...and continue to do so.
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