Dad was born on December 8, 1930 at the family farm, in the same room that his own dad was born. He passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025 with family by his side. October 8 was also his parent’s anniversary.
Dad was predeceased by his wife Shirley (Lone) and his parents Gordon and Christina Dodds. Brother and sister in laws, aunts and uncles, 7 nephews and 4 nieces, and cousins.
He is survived by his daughter Tannis (Clint) and his son Cam (Maralee), grandchildren; Tara (Corey), Melissa (Kelly), Rhett (Chevy) and Madison (Dane), great grandchildren; Saydee, Mayson and Austin. Doug is also survived by sisters; Margie, Dianne and Linda (Clint), sister in laws Doris Nield and Audrey Lone, several cousins, nephews and nieces.
Dad went to school at Elgin, completing Grade 10. He lived on the family farm, which was purchased by his grandfather John Dodds in 1887. After finishing his schooling, he worked at numerous jobs, electrician, truck driver, mechanic and digging wells. But he was always a farmer at heart.
He rented land from Agnes Dashney and later bought it.
Mom and Dad met in Elgin when mom was babysitting Auntie Doris and Uncle Andy’s twins, and after a courtship they married on March 19, 1955. This was also mom’s birthday. Thus began their married life in the little house on the farm
Tannis was born on June 21, 1958 and Cam completed the family on November 9, 1961.
When Tannis was 6, Dad began the project of building the new home on the farm. He once told us he couldn’t get a loan for a house but he could for a combine, always the farmer. When mom and Dad retired, Cam and Maralee raised their family on the farm, and now Rhett and Chevy are carrying on the legacy. Rhett is 5th generation to farm.
Dad belonged to the Rink and Hall Committees and was a councilor for the RM for some time. He was also a member of the Legion. Dad enjoyed sports and liked watching the Blue Jays and the Jets. He played hockey in his youth and he curled. He enjoyed golfing, until just a few years ago. He played pool back in the day at the pool hall in Elgin and loved getting together with the guys for a game of pool in Souris the last few years.
Cards and checkers kept his mind active. Dad loved country music. He had a love for versatile tractors and restored several. The family enjoyed following him to tractor pulls in Manitoba and North Dakota. His family and the land were his priorities right up till his passing.
Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling, Happy Hours and entertaining. Camping in their motor home and golfing in the summer with friends was very special.
Sadly, mom passed away suddenly and Dad was at loose ends. He continued wintering in Mesa and met Bev Mitchell. They had a great time together for about 22 years, until age and health kept them apart. Thanks to Bev and her family for treating dad as one of their own.
Dad sold his home 2.5 years ago and moved to Victoria Park Lodge in Souris. Over time he accepted the move and carried on trying to be positive. His health deteriorated over the last few years and we knew he would soon be moving on.
Thank you to the Staff at Victoria Park Lodge for your kindness. To the staff at Souris Medical Clinic…you are all so special and we are so appreciative. To the Doctors and Staff at Souris Hospital, your kindness and compassion made this journey so much easier for dad and our family.
Dad loved to tour the countryside, watch harvest, and checking out the crops. He was always up for a visit and staying up to date with what was happening around him. He had a great mind, and was always thinking. His hugs were so comforting and his smile lit up at room.
Rest in peace Dad, You are so loved.
A graveside funeral service for family and friends was held at the Elgin Cemetery on Saturday, October 25, 2025 followed by a time of fellowship at the Elgin Hall.
Donations can be made to charity of your choice.
I will miss your Dad,Doug. He daily popped into our SOS Office just say hi and see if we had any information for him. Always a smile and a chuckle. Always considerate to let us know if he was going to be away for cards on Fridays. He was always enjoyable to be around. Rest pain free Doug you will be missed
Dear Family of Doug,
We am so very sorry for the loss of your Dad and Grandfather. He was one of a kind. As you will know, your Dad and Mom lived next door to our parents in Souris. We can share with you, the joy and the laughter, his humor brought to his neighbor. Our Mother did keep up to him, and his shenanigan’s, and maybe even out did him at his own game. Once she tied a ripened tomato to his tomato plant and Mom could see from her dining room window, his astonishment, that overnight, a tomato had totally ripened on his tomato plant. Your father’s laughter and wit surely left a smile on every heart he met. Wishing you comfort and peace as you remember a life so well lived.
Sincerely
family of Mark and Margie Janz
David and Gail Janz Family and
Marilyn (Janz) Forsyth .
Cam and family, sincere condolences on Doug’s passing. We regret about late remarks but was unaware of his passing until now, Pat has fond memories of Doug visiting her home when she grew up and I was lucky to have shared some of those memories as well, the best to you all. Jim and Pat Halliday.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Its very different once you have loss both parents. My thoughts are with you.
Tracy Johnston
Our Sympathy to you all. Doug enjoyed visiting with everyone he met. Always a smile on his face when he said Hello! Hugs and cherish all your memories!
My sincere condolences to Doug’s family and friends in the Elgin- Souris districts.
“Uncle” Doug and I shared many a good visit and, of course, a million laughs during my visits to Elgin and Souris.
Fare thee well, Doug.
Uncle Vince
Tannis,Clint, Cam,Maralee and families. Very sorry to hear about your dad, grandpa and great grandpa. We all have our memories of growing up in Elgin. My fondest memory was when he would sneak into town to stop at Clearwaters store to grab a Coke and macaroon cookies. He joked he would be in trouble with mom because back then everyone charged their groceries. He will be sadly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.