Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
James Louis Doan Memorial
James Louis Doan Memorial

James Louis Doan

James Louis Doan

Saturday, March 26th, 2016

James Louis Doan “Louie,” of Sedro-Woolley, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Saturday March 26, 2016 at the age of 97.

Louie was born to Charles and Nancy Mae Doan in Republic, Michigan on October 19,1918, joining five other siblings at home at the Sunnyside Hotel, which his parents owned and rented out rooms to lumberjacks, carpenters, hunters and fishermen. Louie had many tales of ice sailing, fishing and growing up in Michigan. He lived in Michigan until he was 15, moving out west with his mother, sisters and brothers. They were delayed in Idaho and he ended up staying there for a year, working on a dairy farm along lake Coeur D’alene. Louie made it to Sedro-Woolley where he did odd jobs and was part of the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration) for awhile.

Louie met Ruby Morgan while she was working in a Sedro-Woolley cafe. They were married on November 8, 1942. they had an ever lasting love of over 73 years.

They were separated during World War II, when in 1944, he enter the army serving in occupied territory as a military police officer in the 319th Infantry under General Patton in France, Germany and Austria.

During combat, he served as a member of the rifle squad and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He remained in Germany after the war was over, taking care of the horses that were used by the Germans to pull their artillery.

Returning home in 1946 to Ruby and daughter, Nancy, they built their first home in Sedro-Woolley, where they had two more daughters.

Louie returned to large construction work for Christopherson and Sons, driving RD-6 and RD-7 Caterpillars, but soon he was going into his own logging business, retiring from logging at age 62.

During off seasons from logging, Louie would built homes for his family or to sell. He loved to build things and you could never tell him you had a project because he’d be there the next day to start it. Louie enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing.

Louie and ruby owned a cabin in British Columbia and later one in upper Michigan, always being together.

He loved flying machines and automobiles, and would have loved to have flown to the moon. He had a love of animals, with horses always being a part of his life. He played the guitar, yodeled and sang country music to his children and grandchildren, and he was always known for his smile.

Louie loved his family and was always there for them.

Louie is survived by his wife, ruby; daughters, Linda (Lynn) Brown, and Gloria Lee; Grandchildren, Janet Arentzen, Melanie (Don) Medcalf, Jim (Dawn) Schneider, Shelly (David) Pallies, Chaneine Schneider, Randy (Jennie) Schneider, Chelsie Kammenga; great-grandchildren, Samantha (Marco) Arentzen, Tory Pallies, Kylie Pagel, Dallas Metcalf, Ryan Farrington and Kody Farrington, great-great grandchild, Odin James Martinez; sister, Bessie Kahn; nephew, Ken Kahn; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Nancy Doan; siblings, Mae Wixtrom, Anne Smith, Ruth Bell, Charles Doan, Blanche Tipton, and Edgar Berg; daughter, Nancy Schneider; grandchildren, Geri Ranee Schneider, Christine Arentzen and Durin Arentzen.

A graveside service will be held at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery, April 1, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held following the services at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center, 703 Pacific Street.

A time of visitation will be available from 9:00 to 5:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 to Noon on Friday at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.

Share your memories of Louie and sign the online guest register.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of the Northwest.

Guestbook

  • Jim Schneider

    A grandfather is someone very special. He’s someone you can go to with a problem, trust to keep a secret and count on in a time of need. He’s honest, loyal, and trustworthy, and can always be depended on. He someone that you think about often, love and appreciate beyond words, and will cherish always. A grandfather is one of the greatest blessings you can ever have.

  • Charles Laakso

    I am sorry for your loss. I remember Louie and Ruby coming to visit Seth and Mae when I was growing up and I do remember his smile.

  • Joyce Holland

    Gloria & family
    I am so sorry for your loss, I remember his big smile from years ago when we were inseperable. I know you will cherish all your memories of him as you were growing up and into adult life. He truly had a heart of gold and patience as strong as steel tolerating our shenanigans. May God wrap his arms around each of you and comfort you all during this difficult time.