Douglas Elbert

My dear brother, Douglas Phillip Elbert, born Aug 15, 1934, departed for eternity, Nov 8, 2019. Born to Grace and Paul Elbert in Bellevue, Wa., Doug had 2 older brothers, Dennis and Donald, a younger sister Carol and a half-brother, Jerry Weyand. One daughter Linda (Drew) Davies, two grandkids Evan and Haley and three stepchildren Sharon, David (Debbie) Anderton, and Paul Anderton.
Other grandkids include Clint Trimble, Cooper, Case and Carter Anderton.

Doug’s early years were spent on the family farm in Bellevue, Wa. doing all the chores that country living required, from milking cows before going to school, to raising and then helping to butcher the chickens (often for Sunday dinners), feeding the pigs and other animals we accumulated during those years, harvesting the hay for winter feed, etc.
From growing and harvesting the vegetable garden, to pruning and picking the fruit and nut trees, Doug grew up with a love for the farm and a work ethic of responsibly caring for both the animals and the crops that we raised. This interest led him later on in High School to become active in the FFA. (Future Farmers of America).

Doug’s faith in God was encouraged and nurtured early on, especially by our mother, and by the Holy Names Sisters who came weekly to our country church teaching us from the Baltimore Catechism. There was no Catholic school in Bellevue, in those days, so we would ride our bikes the 2 1/2 miles to church and back for Sun mass and Sat catechism.
From Bellevue High School, Doug joined his two older brothers at St Martin’s High School and then St Martin’s College. Those were good years for Doug as he excelled in academics and participated in school activities like the schools boxing team, along with his brothers.

After college, Doug, along with his brother Don, entered the United States Air Force where he proudly served his country for 4 yrs. After returning from service, Doug attended and graduated from Seattle University, earning a degree in accounting. He then worked as an accountant for the city of Seattle.

Doug began working with Recovery, Inc., a self-will mental health organization that was begun by Dr Abraham Low in Chicago. Doug started many chapters of Recovery, Inc. and eventually moved to Chicago where he became the executive director for several years. Doug’s next job was in Denver, but he did not like the winters there. When a job opportunity opened up in Dallas, Texas, he was happy to settle down there.

Doug and Janith met and married in 1979 then moved to Nacogdoches, Texas.
Doug worked for East Texas Legal Services, in Nacogdoches, for the next 24 years. He and Janith moved to Waco upon retirement to be around her family and enjoy the remaining years of their life together. He also enjoyed visiting with his daughter and grandchildren in Washington. He was able to spend more time with church and volunteer activities in his retirement years.

After 40 years of marriage, Janith passed on to Heaven, a few months ago, and Doug was ready to join her as soon as possible. His gentle heart and kind personality will never be forgotten. He was a man of honesty and integrity; kindness and consideration. He was firm in his beliefs and in his values. He was a good big brother and I will miss him. I love you Doug. Your sis, Carol