Dwight Edward Douglas, 71, of Olathe, KS, passed away on January 2, 2022, at St. Luke's Hospital.
Dwight was born on July 9, 1950, to Donovan and Esther (Hughes) Douglas in Emmett, Idaho. When Dwight was a child, his family moved to Payette, ID, and then to Boise, ID where he graduated from Capitol High School. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Northwest Nazarene College (now University) in Nampa, ID, and his Master of Religious Education degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO.
On September 12, 1969, Dwight married Marita Howard. Throughout their marriage, the couple lived in a variety of locations as Dwight served on the pastoral staff at Nazarene churches in Boise, ID, Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and Oregon City, OR. He also worked in the division of Christian Life and Sunday School and the Church Growth Division at Nazarene World Headquarters in Kansas City, MO. Beginning in 1995, Dwight held several administrative roles including Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Assistant to the President for Church and Community Relations, and Director of Operations at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS. In October of 2020, Dwight retired from Quality Technology Services in Overland Park, KS, where he served as their Director of Community Relations for 10 years.
Service to others was a hallmark of Dwight's life. He loved people and intentionally sought out opportunities to support, encourage, advocate for, and enrich the lives of people he encountered. Some of the service roles that meant the most to him were that of Chaplain and Assistant Public Information Officer for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue in Oregon, member of the Olathe Rotary Club in Olathe, KS, speaker and mentor for Gift of Life in Overland Park, KS, advisor to the US Dream Academy based in Silver Spring, MD, and member of various work and witness teams that traveled throughout the United States and internationally.
Dwight grew up loving the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting throughout his life. He earned his private pilot's license and became an avid airplane enthusiast. Dwight traveled extensively for work and pleasure. He never tired of the view from an airplane, the opportunity to see new places, or time spent visiting with friends and family in various locations.
Dwight had a love for people. He was a trusted friend and confidante to many. Most importantly, Dwight enjoyed spending time with his family. Sunday lunches, holiday traditions, time with his grandchildren, and family vacations brought him much joy.
Dwight had a deep love for his God and followed and served Him faithfully. He regularly prayed that others would come to know Christ as their personal Savior and would know the joy and peace that comes through a relationship with Him. Dwight's enduring faith is part of the legacy he leaves for those who knew him.
Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, Donovan and Esther (Hughes) Douglas, an infant brother, an infant sister, and a nephew Dana Abbott.
He is survived by his wife, Marita (Howard) Douglas, his daughter Danna (Kevin) Dahl, his son Michael (Jenn) Douglas, his daughter Lisa (Brent) Hazen, and grandchildren TJ and Trevor Dahl, Kimberlynne and Camden Hazen, and Piper and Baron Douglas. He is also survived by his sister Donna (Bill) Riddell, nephew Dan Abbott, uncle Dale (Phyllis) Douglas, aunt Lois Douglas, and numerous cousins.
Dwight's family would like to especially thank Mid America Heart Institute of St. Luke's for their wonderful care for Dwight over the past 15 years.
The family would also like to thank the two donor families who, during their time of grief and loss, chose to give a life-saving gift to Dwight in June 2006 and in October 2010.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Dwight's honor to the following:
MidAmerica Nazarene University Foundation
Donovan and Esther Douglas Endowed Scholarship for Children of Pastors
2030 E College Way
Olathe, KS 66062
www.mnu.edu/give-online
Northwest Nazarene University
Nighthawk Scholarship
Office of University Advancement
623 S University Blvd
Nampa, ID 83686
www.nnu.edu/give
Midwest Transplant Network
1900 W 47th Place, Suite 400
Westwood, KS 66205
https://mwtn.org/make-a-monetary-donation/?fbclid=IwAR3n7rh4PTvEynuoS-48gpRjip8_JezRjuuA34K5aAuJZVfHh-E7eHuIfVA
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