Douglas Alvin Geleynse, of Mission, B.C., Canada, was born on March 5, 1953 and passed away on June 5, 2018 at the age of 65.
Doug was born in Korea and came to the U.S. in 1957 where he enjoyed a beautiful childhood on an Everson dairy farm, with his parents Conrad (Con) and Jeanette Geleynse and 11 siblings. As a young boy Doug enjoyed duck hunting, fishing and dismantling cars. During Doug’s adolescent years he enjoyed playing football at Nooksack Valley High School and he was always one to watch out for on the field.
Doug joined the U.S. Navy and served on the USS England, based in San Francisco. In September 1974 he received a letter of commendation for the direct and meaningful contribution he made to the ship’s successes in 1973 and 1974.
After receiving his honourable discharge from the Navy in 1976, Doug began a career as welder and millwright. If you ask any one that has worked with Doug, they will tell you he was one of the best in his trade.
Doug always had a love for the outdoors and was an avid fisherman, often found fishing on the river for sturgeon and salmon or on the ocean for salmon, crab, oysters or the odd halibut. Doug also loved to camp and hunt; nothing fancy, just the great outdoors, a cooler, a camper or tent and always the best cook stove. He also had a passion for Ford Broncos and enjoyed restoring older models in his spare time. He loved being a grandpa and spending any time that he could with family. Doug was a kind, caring and hard-working individual, always going out of his way to help others the best that he could. To all those that knew him, he was a wonderful man with the biggest heart.
He is survived by his children: daughters Christina (Scott) Johnston and Jade Geleynse (John Hamilton); son Douglas (Geri) Anderson; step-daughter Summer (Casey) Merrills; his mother, Jeanette Geleynse; siblings Glenda (David) Young, Delores (Ted) VanderMeulen, Marcia Otter, Janice (Chris) Crabtree, Connie Magana, David (Charlotte) Geleynse, Dean Geleynse, Duane (Nina) Geleynse, Lloyd Geleynse, Denise (Eric) Brower, and Darlys (Manny) Kimmie; and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Doug is also survived by his former wife and close friend, Dawn Higginbottom.
He was preceded in death by his father, Conrad Geleynse, and brother-in-law Del Otter.
A graveside service will be held at noon Saturday, July 7, in the Nooksack Cemetery. A social hour will follow at 1 p.m. in the Everson Senior Center.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. in the Mission Elks Hall in Mission, B.C., on July 28, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, a charity that was special to Doug.
