Richard Lee Douglas, Long-time Buckhannon native and resident passed away on January 27, 2011, at Otterbein Retirement Community, Lebanon, Ohio. Cause was complications from colon cancer. He was 67. Mr. Douglas was born July 25, 1943, a son of the late Wilson and Ruth Harper Douglas. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one older brother Wilson Douglas Jr. He was a 1961 graduate of Buckhannon High School and graduated in 1973 from West Virginia University. Richard worked as a teacher in Florida and West Virginia and for 30 years as an aide at Weston State Hospital, from where he retired. He was a passionate history buff (especially the Civil War), traveler, lover of literature and classical music, community theater performer and volunteer in children’s reading programs. Richard was the nephew of well-known native West Virginian artist Charley Harper, whose son, Brett, brought him to Ohio in April 2010 after initial cancer surgery. At that time he required constant care. However, his heart always remained a “Mountaineer” with his friends in Buckhannon and surrounding area. Cousin Brett said, “He was 10 years older. I always looked up to him. He was a wonderful storyteller and loved an audience. He had a kind heart and instinctively took the side of the underdog. Wish I’d seen Richard play Scrooge in your local Christmas performance several years ago!” Memorials may be sent to organizations of your choosing. Visitation will be at Poling-st.Clair Funeral Home in Buckhannon at 10 am Friday, February 4, 2011, with the funeral service immediately following at 11 am with Pastor Vincent Wine officiating. Burial will follow at the Rock Cave Cemetery. Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
