Douglas Ray Lampe

Douglas Ray “Doug” Lampe, age 84, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2024 at JTR Hospice Care Center in Akron, Ohio after a long, progressive illness with COPD and heart failure. Doug was born on January 26, 1940 in his grandparents (Cook) home in Akron, Ohio. His parents were the late Raymond V. Lampe and Dorothea Cook Lampe. Doug was the youngest of three; he was preceded in death by his older brother Gerald Lampe over 40 years ago. Recently, Doug’s youngest son, Gary William Lampe (Shannon), had unexpectedly passed away at his home on July 10, 2024. Doug is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Plum Lampe, with whom he celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary with the help of the hospice volunteers bringing them a special cake and trimmings. Doug is also survived by his two remaining sons of whom he was very proud as they had both served in the U.S. Navy, Mark Lampe and David (Susan) Lampe. Doug was also very proud of his grandchildren Ashley (Lampe) Gillitzer, John (Jessica) Lampe, Joshua Lampe and Elizabeth (Lampe) Hodge (Travis), plus three great grandchildren Mason Gillitzer, Jocelyn Lampe and Lyanna Hodge. Doug is survived by sister Sharon and her three daughters, and his nephews Michael Ritterbeck and Delbert Lampe. After he married Barb, he volunteered and was proud to serve in the U.S. Army National Guard. Afterwards, he attended Hower Trade School in Akron to become a machinist. Other good skills he learned from his father were working on cars, some construction and all kinds of handyman work around the house. Doug then shared those skills with his sons. Doug was retired from the former Kent Machine Company in Stow, Ohio and the former Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems in Akron, Ohio.

Doug enjoyed making unique wind chimes for family and friends, going to car shows with the 1966 Ford Mustang he inherited from a very close family friend, and doing projects and improvements around the house and in his workshop shed. He loved vacations to Maryland and Virginia to visit son David and family over the decades, but the most memorable one was when he and Barb flew overseas to Italy and Sicily to meet their first grandchild, Ashley! He loved visiting with the family and relatives as well as his neighbors and helping whenever he could in his earlier years, but in later years, he went through the neighborhood on his 3-wheeled scooter to share advice and his "Dad jokes". Their second home came with a pool table on which he loved playing games with family and friends for decades, as well playing various games, including Scrabble, Rummy, and also going bowling and mini golfing.

 Doug was a man of faith; and after his health had recently began to significantly fail, he was ready to meet his Lord. Services will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron, Ohio 44305. Visitation for family and friends will be from 11 am to 12:30 pm. His memorial service will start at 12:30 pm; after that, at 2:00 pm, there will be a short service with military honors at Hillside Memorial Park at 1025 Canton Road, Akron, Ohio 44312.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in memory of Doug to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 1121 14th St. NW, Suite 150, Washington D.C., 20005. 

To view Doug's funeral service, please click here.

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