William Douglas "Doug" Cariker

CARTHAGE - Services for Panola county native, William Douglas "Doug" Cariker, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Cocklin and the Rev. Arnold Shrewsbury officiating. Entombment will follow in the Restland Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be held, today, October 27, 2009, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Doug was born to Otis and Sallie Morris Cariker in the community of Clayton, Texas and lived and went to school there and in the community of Long Branch where he finished his public school education. He served his country stateside in the United States Air Force. Following this service he entered LeTourneau Technical Institute, now LeTourneau University, where he was active in student government serving as vice-president of the Student Council. He was a member of the first graduating class in 1949. He was pleased to be a part of the 50th anniversary celebration in 1999 and to have the opportunity to renew former friendships. As the oldest son of a farming family, he learned the importance of a strong work ethic early in his life. He had a wonderful role model in his mother. Although his degree was in mechanical engineering, he spent most of his working life in the petroleum industry. He began his career in the East Texas oil field. In the following years he worked from the Gulf coast to the mid-western states and from the Southeastern to the Southwestern states. He also had tenures in Pennsylvania, Alaska, and Indonesia.

Doug left his work in the oil and gas business and was employed in the city governments of Mesquite and Carthage.

Education continued to be important to him. While attending LeTourneau, he traveled with some of his professors who were working on advanced degrees and earned some additional hours from Stephen F. Austin and Texas University. While employed with Northern Natural Gas Company, he attended Oklahoma University where he received his Mid-Management certification. One of the highlights of his career was serving as manager of the construction of the Strategic Oil Storage facilities along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf coasts. He was pleased to have ended his working life and his retirement back in East Texas among family and friends.

Doug was an active member of the First Christian Church of Carthage serving as a deacon and then as an elder. He also served on various committees and numerous terms on the Official Board often serving as chairman. He also enjoyed being a member of the B.A.L.L. Club of Central Baptist church and the Keenagers of First United Methodist. As his health began to fail and he could no longer actively serve, he was elected to the position of Elder Emeritus of his church.

As a younger man he was an avid bowler. He also enjoyed golf, yardwork, traveling, and family get-to-gethers. In his retirement he volunteered for Longview Community Ministries serving on their board and for the Texas Tea Room.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Johnny Cariker; and four sisters, Cecil Gossett, Louise Tompkins, Martha Martin, and Grace Malone.

Surviving are his wife, Myrle of Carthage; son, Ken Cariker and wife Kyra; granddaughters, Wendi Wolfe and husband, David and Leslie Cariker all of Henderson; grandson, Aaron Cariker and wife Julie of Longview; brother, Bobby Cariker and wife Suzanne; sisters, Fay Giles and Mary Cooley and husband Gene; sister-in-law, Joy Cariker all of Carthage, ; sister-in-law, Myrna Bonner and husband Gerald of Arlington; great-grandchildren, Rayna, Kohen and Kyla Cariker and Avery Wolfe; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the First Christian Church of Carthage, 208 S. Market St., Carthage, Texas 75633, LeTourneau University Memorials, P.O. Box 7333, Longview, Texas 75607, Heart'sWay Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, Texas, 75633 or the organization of your choice.