Douglas A. Splady
BEMIDJI - Douglas Allen Splady, 85, of Bemidji, formerly of Brainerd, died Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, at Neilson Place in Bemidji.
Memorial Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at the First Lutheran Church in Bemidji, Minn., with Rev. Alan R. Johnson officiating and military honors by the DAV Chapter No. 7 and the American Legion Post No. 14 of Bemidji. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.
Douglas Splady
He was born July 11, 1924 in Minneapolis, Minn., the son of Douglas and Gullah (Berg) Splady. He was raised and educated in Minneapolis. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served with the Seabees in many of the battles of the South Pacific Islands. He earned a Purple Heart in Guam and a Bronze Star for his service. Following his discharge he returned to Minneapolis in 1946. He met and then married Yvonne Larson on Aug. 21, 1948, in Cannon Falls, Minn. They made their home in the Midwest, living in many communities as Doug was transferred several times with the Chrysler Corporation working with many car dealers. In 1970, they moved to Brainerd where he was executive director of Sports Craft, a boat dealer. He then worked with the Minnesota Tourism Board, Minnesota Heartland and promoted tourism in the area, retiring in 1983.
He loved hunting, fishing, boating, playing cards and most of all spending time with his family and grandchildren. He had a special love for the many dogs in his life.
He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Bemidji and a past member of First Lutheran Church in Brainerd. He also was a member of the VFW, the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans, the Masonic Lodge in Brainerd and was a Shriner.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Splady of Bemidji; a son- Charles Splady of Oakland, Calif.; two daughters, Mary Splady of Bemidji and Teri (Skip) Finn of Cass Lake; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Honorary Casket bearers will be J.D. Schmid, Joseph Schmid, Anna Splady, Jordan Robinson, Jamie Becker-Finn, Jacob Finn, Brad Splady and Aaron Splady.