Edward Douglas Girard

 

Edward Douglas (Doug) Girard

 

Doug went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 6,2023. He was born on October 1, 1949 to parents, Eddie and Retha Mae Girard in Ventura, California.

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Debbie Girard, sons Jason Girard and wife Sheradi, Kayden (Critter) Girard, Daughters Katie Featherston and husband Joe Boothe, Christy Adams, Jaime Bybee, Sisters Peggy Williams and husband Mike, Annette Budro, Brother Alvin Girard and wife Donna. Doug is also survived by grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, all of whom he loved dearly.

Doug was preceded in death by his father, Eddie Girard, mother, Retha Mae Brooks, brother Raymond Girard and brother Lester Girard.

Doug was born in Ventura, California and was the eldest of 6 children. As a family, they moved from California and Texas a few times allowing him to have roots in both places establishing lifelong friendships in both places.

He enjoyed playing football in high school, beginning in Oxnard, California and ending his high school football journey in Houston, Texas. After high school he went to court reporting school and then married his high school sweetheart and gained a second family, all of whom he loved his entire life. After working in Louisiana as a court reporter for a specific judge, he decided being indoors all day was not for him and they returned to Texas. He often spoke fondly of going to work for his father-in-law.

In later years he met his second wife and they shared many happy years together, raising their children, Jaime and Jason. It was during that time that Doug went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone and subsequently moved to Arlington, Texas.

Doug and Debbie met in July of 1997, a blind date set up by mutual friends and were married in July 1998. He retired from Southwestern Bell (AT&T) after 23 years.

It was at that time that he was able to pursue a lifelong desire to shoot pro-archery. He bow hunted and shot amateur competitive archery his entire adult life. He spent a year or so traveling from tournament to tournament, enjoying shooting his bow in tournaments as a pro shooter. When he finished shooting pro, he returned to amateur status continuing to compete. He was a lifelong member of Irving Bowhunter Archery Club in Irving Texas where he wore many hats over the years.

After moving to Midlothian, Texas, he went to work for Tow Pro Wrecker Service where he thoroughly enjoyed working right up until the time he was diagnosed with cancer. It seemed like family because it was family. Danny and Lorri Girard (Doug’s Cousins) own the service and their sons and daughter work there too. The love he felt for them was something he talked about frequently as he and Danny  had been close their entire lives. The love he felt for the people at Tow Pro wasn’t limited to blood relatives, it included all of his co-workers. The years he worked with all of them were very happy years for Doug.

Anyone who knows Doug, knows his passion for archery and hunting. The only things he enjoyed more were his family and friends.

Doug never said an unkind word about anyone, always seeing the good in people. He was loving, smart, kind, patient, generous, humble and funny. Debbie and Kayden never tired of his dad jokes and cherished his love.

May each of us carry in our hearts, our own special memories of Doug. May he rest in peace and love.

Please make donations to the Baylor Scott & White T. Boone Pickens Cancer Center in Dallas or in lieu of cut flowers, please send live flowers.