Albert James Douglas was born September 6, 1923 in Grayson, Louisiana to the union of Lonnie Alfred Douglas and Ethel Volentine. He passed from this low ground of sin and sorrow on November 6, 2013 at the age of 90 years and two months to dwell forevermore in the sweet presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
AJ, as he was known by his family and friends, was a veteran of World War II and served in the Navy from 1942 until 1945. He traveled to New Zealand and was on several Pacific Islands, mainly Guadalcanal, during that time period. During his lifetime he worked for the Canal Barge Company, Louisiana Machinery, and Louisiana Pacific, before retiring from ARTCO in 1985 as Chief Engineer on the Motor Vessel Sally Archer.
AJ married Eunice Etta Holmes in 1946 and they had two children, James Paul Douglas and Dwana Jean Douglas. After divorcing, AJ met and married Mary Louise Meredith Watson. They were happily married for 42 years until her death in September 2008.
AJ was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Ethel Douglas, his wife, Mary Louise Douglas and his brother Alfred Bernard Douglas. AJ is survived by his two children, James Paul Douglas (daughter-in-law Linda) and Dwana Jean Hamre (son-in-law Wayne), two grandchildren, Mark Brandon Mink, Kathryn Deann Mink Gutierrez (grandson-in-law Adrian) and two great-grandsons, Alexander James Gutierrez and Conner Gutierrez. Other survivors include two sisters, Mary Alice Gilbert and Gloria Jean Hendrix, several first cousins, and many nieces and nephews. AJ spent almost all of his 90 years living in Caldwell Parish.
Pallbearers will be David Cook, Chuck Cruse, Tommy Hendrix, Benny Douglas, Steve Hendrix, and Lawson Adams.
Funeral services for AJ Douglas will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Riser Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Jay Morgan officiating. Ron Gilbert will deliver the eulogy. Interment will follow at Mt. Rose Cemetery in Grayson. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Riser Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Rose Cemetery, 2301 Hwy 850, Grayson, LA 71435.