Peter G. Douglas, 83, US Army-Korean War Veteran-of Brooksville, FL and Tampa, FL died on March 3, 2010 at Emeritus of Northdale Assisted Living Facility, Tampa, FL from natural causes. His memorial service is 1:00 PM, Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church, 9344 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34608 with full military honors by the US Army Funeral Honors Team. This will be a celebration of his life.
Peter was born on July 4th, 1926 in Honolulu, Hawaii to parents Kenneth C. Douglas and Peggy Schultz Douglas and was raised in Hawaii graduating from Punahou Academy with honors. From 1944 to 1946 he was a US Merchant Marine Cadet Midshipman. He then attended Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois where he was President of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He graduated in 1952 with a B.S. Degree in Pre-Law and Communications. He then joined the US Army and was stationed in Huntsville, Alabama working in guided missile repair. Continuing his education he attended Ohio State Law School for his Graduate Studies from 1955-1957.
After marrying and starting a family in Toledo, Ohio he became owner of Turner Concrete Company and later Atlantic Vault Co. in West Palm Beach, Florida. While raising his children he was a very active member in his community of Lake Worth Florida. His membership in Rotary and Exchange Club changed many lives. When his family was raised he began a career as Hospital Director in financial development and public relations at John F. Kennedy Hospital in Atlantis, Florida.
His life was very full of adventures such a snow skiing, hang gliding, diving in the Caribbean, and many hours boating throughout the Bahamas. He traveled to many exotic places while in the service, and after with his family. But his most important contributions in life were his mission trips and working with the youth in his church.
“Papa Pete” always had a strong faith while raising his two daughters. Fifteen years ago he became very involved with mission trips and the youth at his church that changed his life. He traveled to Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Alaska, Tennessee, Four Points and a variety of locations in Florida on mission trips. These trips were very meaningful to him and he met lifelong friends while working for Christ to help those in need. His faith was evident as he became the hands and feet for Christ. He used to say, “Love is an action word”. He continued to bless others even into his late 70’s with his last mission trip to Costa Rica. He will always be remembered for the many hours he spent with the youth.
He is survived by two daughters; Shelley Guerre and her husband, Eugene of Brooksville, FL and Roni Gillingham and her husband, Thomas of Tampa, FL and his four grandchildren that he loved so much: Mikey Stevenson, Zachary Stevenson, Scott Gillingham and Chelsea Gillingham,.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to LifePath Hospice, 12973 Telecom Parkway, Suite 100, Temple Terrace, Fl. 33637 for their exemplary care and concern for Pete in his time of need.
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
Roni & family, I’m so sorry for your loss. May the sweet memories help to sustain you until you meet again. Remember the fun times and laugh!
Papa Pete…
I miss you already.
Love you so much,
Tom
Roni,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He was such a sweet, sweet man. I loved the times he came to watch Chelsea play basketball! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I know I am one of the many lives that will be forever blessed by knowing and loving Papa Pete. His friendship has impacted me more than I could ever explain. I will cherish our special visits together!
Thank you all for sharing him so graciously with me and my family. I will miss him and his sweet smile so much! All our love and prayers go out to your family. With much love & admiration, Cindy
Wow, I am just shocked, I met Pete on a mission Trip to Honduras, what a great, great man………he will be missed!
Rest in peace Uncle Pete.
En Hoc
No matter what the circumstance or the amount of time you have with your parents- it’s never easy having to say good-bye! I pray for peace and comfort that will transcend all your aching at this time. How grateful you must be to see the generational blessings of your father’s faithfulness and having the assurance of his salvation. The Lord uses all things and I pray your faith and that or your family will be strengthened during this difficult time of loss.
Tom, Roni, Scotty & Chelsea…you are in our prayers. May our precious God provide you with strength and a perfect peace that passes all understanding.
Shelley & Roni
Very sorry to hear the sad news about Uncle Pete. It’s been a long time since we were together although I have some wonderful memories. My thoughts and prayer are with you and your two families. With my middle name being Douglas I will never forget about Uncle Pete.
Love to all, Steve
Roni and family, I was so sorry to hear of Papa Pete’s passing. No one can fully understand your pain unless they’ve lost someone they dearly love. I know as the way of life,a child outlives their parents,but that doesn’t make it any easier. Trust that he is in a better place and know that you’ll see him again.
Dear Tom, Roni, Scotty & Chelsea – so very sorry to hear about your loss. Pappa Pete was an exceptional man, full of life, love & a never-ending love of the Lord. His smile was contagious & I know he positively impacted more people than we will ever know. I feel blessed to have known him. We will keep you & your family in our thoughts and prayers. Miles of hugs….Debby, Zachary & Christine
WE MET PETE AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH–WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE HIS FRIENDS [WE ALWAYS SAT BEHIND HIM AT CHURCH] WE HAVE NEVER MET SUCH A LOVING, PASSIONATE INTERESTING PERSON LIKE PETE.
GO IN PEACE PETE AND SMOOTH SAILING. GEORGE AND PAULA
I have very fond memories of him while living in Orlando. I remember his positive spirit, his laugh and our many chats during visits to your housemy house, etc.
There were many things that I didn’t know about him. Northwestern University!! That’s where Aleah is going to school and she is loving it. I had remembered that he was from Hawaii and had served in the service, but I didn’t realize that he lived there most of his life. It was a nice story and great to see that he had lived such a full life especially in the area of helping othersmission service.
I know that it must be very hard to lose a parent no matter the age, but you must be very proud of the things that he accomplished in his life. I will keep you, Tom, Chelsea and Scott in my prayers.
It is my honor to serve the family as a retired USAF military manfuneral director. Your father had it a lot harder in the US Army then I did for 33 years in the USAF. God Bless the family. CHIEF PLATTS
Peter was a great man. I enjoyed going with him to mission trips in Honduras and Mexico along with Brian Carr. Whenever I saw him at Asbury UMC he was always upbeat amd positive.
I will miss you Papa Pete! I got to know you when you lived in Orlando. We went on a few mission trips together like Love at Work and Four Corners. May god bless you and keep you. May his countenace shine apon you and give you peace! Love Above!
I want to offer my belated condolences. Peter and I went together when I was a senior at Punahou, and he was back from the merchant marines. He was fun and sweet and smart and so handsome. We had fun rattling around the island in his model T Ford, and he took me flying which scared me a bit. We both went off to college but kept in touch. But with his being at Northwestern, and me at UC Berkeley, we drifted apart. I have never forgotten him..He was a wonderful person.