Douglas Webster Speed Jr.

Douglas Speed Jr. rode his final wave on January 24, 2023, passing away peacefully with his beloved wife, Shelley by his side. Doug worked and lived for his family, especially his talented and adored triplets Mary, Billy and Doug III. A beaches resident since the time of Hurricane Dora, Doug grew up in a pair of board shorts, hair full of sand, his heart beating to the rhythm of the rolling surf. He attended Fletcher High where he excelled in S&S (surfing and skateboarding.) A passion for meteorology took him to the University of Colorado (Boulder), but his devotion to the ocean brought him back to Atlantic Beach, aka Rat Town, where he met the love of his life, Shelley. They enjoyed more than 30 years of marriage and raising children. Doug was a very involved Dad pitching in as baseball coach, dance guild treasurer of D.A. School of the Arts and roadie for the band, Greenbeaux.

Doug was a member of Community Presbyterian Church and served as pack leader, sunday school teacher and cold night shelter host. He was proud of his Scottish heritage and traveled with his family to six continents. Doug had a varied career, but construction and building fueled his creativity, his beautiful work can be seen all around the beaches. Doug was preceded in death by his parents Douglas W. Speed Sr. and Mildred Shuri Speed. He is survived by his wife Shelley and children Mary Emelia, Richard William (Billy), and Douglas Webster Speed III, his siblings Stacy Manges (Karl) Gordon M Speed (Kim), sisters-in-laws Suzanne Haynes, Edith Endersbee (Jim) Penney Irvine (Steve), his nieces and great nieces and nephews as well as his many cousins - all of whom he adored. A celebration of Doug's life will be held at a warmer time and of course, by the ocean.