Thomas Eugene Douthit Jr.

1929 - 2024

Thomas Eugene Douthit, Jr., trusted physician, loving husband, and proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, peacefully went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Born on May 4, 1929, in Konawa, Okla., Gene was the son of Thomas Eugene Douthit, Sr. and Opal Fern Morriss. The eldest of six siblings, he is survived by his brother, Jay Douthit of Broken Arrow, Okla.

After marrying the love of his life, Doris Elizabeth Watters in 1950, Gene led a life of service as a medical missionary to Korea, a beloved physician who delivered over 40,000 babies during his career, and a man who loved his country with active duty in the U.S. Air Force and, after 22 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a full bird Colonel.

Of utmost importance to Gene was his faith in God, and his commitment to the local church and to the Korean community in Houston. As a faithful member of South Main Baptist Church Houston and later First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, he served as a deacon, was active in choirs, the S.M.I.L.E. program, and Men's Bible Study, and helped start a Korean Sunday School, which led to the establishment of several Houston-area Korean churches. Gene enjoyed traveling with his beloved wife of 60 years until her death in 2010, and was an avid reader, having read the entire Bible yearly for over 70 years. In recent years, he took great pleasure in the Grace Notes Sunday School Class at First Presbyterian Church and was fervently committed to the daily phoning of family and friends to check on and pray for them.

Gene is greatly revered and loved by his children, Paul and wife, Marylyn, Mark and wife, Nan, Bruce and wife, Susan, Ann and husband, Scott Petersen, and Dawn and husband, John Hinkle; 32 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren. Above all, Gene has blessed his family with the greatest example of Christian faith, service, and devotion.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers who so patiently and lovingly attended to Gene at home, the staff of Fresenius Dialysis Kingwood who cared for him weekly for the past four years, and the Oasis Hospice staff who provided comfort in his final days. A memorial service celebrating Gene's life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood with reception following. He will be interred at First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood or South Main Baptist Church Houston.

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:23-26.