Stephen Lee "Steve" Douglas

Stephen Lee "Steve" Douglas, resident of Pinellas Park, went to be with his Lord and Savior at age 78 on August 1, 2025, at Suncoast Hospice of Pinellas Park. Steve was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but lived in Florida most of his life. He is preceded in death by his former wife, Deborah Douglas; his parents, Charles Douglas and Delores Miller; and his siblings, Davy Douglas, Laurie Taylor, and Charlie Douglas.

A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Steve, while on duty in Vietnam, sustained a gunshot wound from hostile rifle fire. He was evacuated to the Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan, where he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat action with the insurgent communist forces.

Back stateside, he married his wife, Deborah A. Connor, on March 21, 1969, at the St. Petersburg First Assembly of God Church. They shared 31 years together and have a daughter, Heather Levengood, and a son, Stephen Douglas, both of whom live in Florida. Surviving also are his granddaughter, "Nikki"; his sister, Merideth; and his uncle, "Mort."

He was proud of his time as a Grant County, New Mexico, deputy sheriff. He earned several awards for rifle and handgun marksmanship. He held both a private and commercial pilot certification and license. His love for the outdoors included camping, hunting, hiking, shooting, and photography. He published stories of New Mexico life in a local newspaper and was a ghostwriter for a famous novel.

His favorite place to walk was through War Veterans Memorial Park at Bay Pines. He would walk all the way to the water and admire the natural beauty that reminded him of the "Old Florida" he knew as a child. He called it "THE REAL DEAL." It is fitting for him to be interred at Bay Pines National Cemetery with a Military Honor Service.

Services will be held at Veterans Funeral Care, 830 N. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL 33765 on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 10:30 am.