March 8, 1923 - April 11, 2019
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Douglas Davidson McDougall.
Dad was born in Kelowna on March 8, 1923 and passed away at the age of 96 on April 11, 2019 at his home in Kelowna.
He is survived by his 5 children; Wendy McDougall, Doug McDougall (Jan), Marg Schleppe (Rick), Susie McDougall (Jamie), Glen McDougall (Mel), 7 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren, 4 Step Grandchildren and many Nieces and Nephews.
His parents, from Scotland, settled in Kelowna & owned one of Kelowna's first Apple Orchards, McDougall Export Co. Ltd. Dad grew up jumping into Okanagan Lake daily in front of the family home his parents built on Lake Ave & McDougall St. (named after them).
He enlisted in the Canadian Army with his friends at age 19 & served for 3.5 years overseas. His first duty was as a Postmaster in England. He was later transferred to Italy in 1944 with the Royal Canadian Artillery.
Dad shared many stories of his time overseas. On one occasion, when in Rome as the Allies were moving North, Dad was hand-picked by a Swiss Guard as a Canadian to be part of a small envoy of Soldiers who had a Private Audience with Pope Pius XII at the Vatican. A very special memory.
Another occasion was when he was treated as a Liberator while riding a Bike in rather casual Military attire (shorts, no shirt, tanned skin) with a Sten submachine gun over his shoulder into the small village of Schagen North of Amsterdam. He was treated like Royalty and was invited to Celebrate with the Mayor.
Later on in life Dad was a special guest on two occasions to visit Kelowna's Sister City of Veendam in Holland. He always remembered the gracious hospitality of the Dutch on these trips.
Returning home after the War, Dad met a beautiful Ottawa woman, Francis Joan Burkholder, vacationing in Kelowna with her parents. The McDougall family invited the Burkholder family to accompany them to a local tea party. 12 days later Mom & Dad were engaged and soon after married. Together they worked at the McDougall Apple Orchard in Glenmore during the years of 1947-1959.
In 1959 with their 4 children they moved to Ottawa, Mothers' home town, where Dad had accepted a position in his father in laws family business Burkholder Furs. A few years later they opened a New & Used clothing Shop called the Put N Take. 10 years later they returned to Kelowna and started working at BC Tree Fruits on Water St. During this time their 5th child was born.
An opportunity existed to purchase a restaurant called Chicken on the Way at Reid's Corner where Dad and Mom worked alongside their 2 youngest daughters. In 1973 Doug, Joan and 3 yr old Glen moved to Salmon Arm to work at the Salmon Arm Co-op while building a mobile home park.
Back to Kelowna in 1983, they settled on Maple St. just minutes from his family home. On July 31, 1992 Mom passed from Cancer.
Dad had his own car and drove until 96 years old. He was able to go to many family occasions & outings with friends. He loved his independence. Most years Dad & his friend Terry worked the Poppy Campaign for Remembrance Day & attended many Friday nights dancing at the Legion.
After moving to Missionwood Retirement Resort in Kelowna he looked forward to Thursday's dancing with Ericka & friends. Occasionally his daughters attended and they would all dance together.
Last year our Family had a Surprise Birthday for Dad's 95th. He was overwhelmed to have all his family members attend his Birthday, many from out of town. He still talked about how wonderful that special day was.
Now he rests in peace in the arms of Jesus Christ our Lord.
He was loved and will be greatly missed by his Family, Friends, Missionwood Retirement Residents and Legion Members.
He was acknowledged as a humble and (Gentle) Man.
A small private service for family and close friends will be held at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
A public Celebration of Doug's life will be held on Monday April 29, 2019 at the Royal Canadian Legion, 1380 Bertram St. in Kelowna from 2-4 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider Honouring Dad with a donation to the Kelowna Royal Canadian Legion.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com.
Arrangements in care of First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC. 250-762-2299
