Douglas Kerby, 84
Douglas Emmett Kerby, 84, of Spirit Lake, passed away Oct. 12, 2011, in Coeur d'Alene. He was born and attended schools in the Ashland, Ore., area before enlisting into the U.S. Navy to do his part in serving his country during WWII. Prior to enlisting, Douglas drove truck at night at the age of 13 to haul lumber for the building of Camp White to honor his family's patriotic bearing within their community.
After returning from serving on an LST in the South Pacific Theater, he completed a 60-plus year career as a professional driver. In addition, Douglas served as an assistant pastor, was licensed as a pastor by Independent Assemblies of God and served as the minister for Good Hope Missions which he established for the benefit of members of the Karuk Native American Tribe in Happy Camp, Calif. Douglas served as an administrator for the Karuk Tribe and helped them to obtain their legal tribal status through recognition by the U.S.
Douglas was appointed by Gov. Brown to serve on the regional water quality control board for the state of California. He also served on the developmental disabilities board for the state of California, where he championed accessibility issues, especially for disabled youth.
Over the years, Douglas helped to establish the Siskiyou County Foster Children's Association and helped to parent 24 children in his own home.
Douglas in preceded in death by his mother, Mildred and his father, Elton Kerby; aunts and uncles, Bob and Lilian Edsall, Gilbert Elder and Theodore Elliott.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Kerby and sister Betty Womack (Glenn) and by his children: Paul Kerby (Susie), Cindy Leigh (Bill), Shelley Tschida (Rick), and Julia Reed (Bucky) and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
As a believer in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, Douglas believed in the eternal life provided through salvation and is looking forward to being reunited with all of his friends and family in the coming resurrection.
Inurnment will take place at Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake. www.englishfuneralchapel.com