Robert "Bruce" Douglas

Robert Bruce Douglas, age 77, of Aberdeen, passed away on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at FirstHealth Hospice House, with his family by his side.

Bruce was born in Charleston, West Virginia on July 16, 1946 to the late John Carstairs Douglas and Nonabelle Abbot Douglas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John A. Douglas.

He spent his formative years in West Virginia, Ohio, and then Katonah, New York. It is said that he was in a band while in New York. He loved music and always had some vinyl playing in the background. He moved to Southern Pines in the 60’s where he met his best friend, Ronald “Ron” Oldham, who would eventually introduce him to the love of his life, and Ron’s sister, Carolyn Jean Oldham. He attended college at both Sandhills Community College and Campbell where he pursued his academics in engineering.

In addition to his love for music, he was also an athlete and enjoyed both playing sports and coaching it. He both coached and played catcher in the men’s softball league, sponsored by Bethesda Presbyterian Church. Additionally, he was an avid supporter of women’s basketball and coached women’s basketball.  He was a staunch supporter that women should have their own basketball league early on.

He worked at J.P. Stevens in Aberdeen, NC, for almost twenty years in the R&D Department until the company decided to wind up operations in the area. He then worked a series of odd jobs before finding a position in hospitality at Pinehurst, Inc. He continued his career at Pinehurst, Inc., until his retirement, again, in 2020.

His retirement was spent with his soul mate and wife, Carolyn Jean Oldham Douglas. He enjoyed going to the beach or to the mountains. He loved watching sports and was always sure to get the newspaper that would include the Final Four brackets that he would cut out and track. He loved reading, especially author Clive Cussler. He was also fascinated with unsolved mysteries, such as Oak Island (Canada), and had a bucket list of the locations of lost treasure that he would have liked to explore.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Carolyn Oldham Douglas; son, Ryan Douglas (Linda) of Pinehurst; daughter, Katie Douglas Thornberg (David) of Pinebluff; sister, Lydia Kernodle of Chapel Hill; brother, Samuel Douglas of Arkansas; grandchildren, Ashley, Peyton, Charlotte, David, Jonathan, Joshua, Madison.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to FirstHealth Hospice Foundation, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.

A service time will post when available.

Cox Memorial..."Serving GOD, by serving families in a time of need.

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