Douglas E. Lake

Douglas E. Lake, age 95 of Midland died Saturday February 18, 2012 at The Caring Place. The son of the late Glenn A. and Beulah E. (Smith) Lake was born on March 1, 1916 in Vermontville, Eaton County, MI. where he was raised and educated. Douglas graduated from Michigan State University with his MS in Chemical Engineering. On August 8, 1940 he married the former Gladys Ione Spotts in Eaton County. She predeceased him in 1996. He later married the former Katherine Spotts Stevens on December 30, 1997 and she predeceased him in 2008. Douglas had a 41 year career with the Dow Chemical Co in various positions, retiring in 1980. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church for more than 70 years where he taught Sunday school, chaired the Trustees Committee and served as treasurer for six years. He was a life member of the Midland Centre Lodge # 273 Free and Accepted Masons, member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Bay City, charter member of Kiwassee Kiwanis of Midland, member of American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers and a sustaining member of the Boy Scouts of America. An Eagle Scout himself, he was active in scouting for many years as Scoutmaster, Cubmaster and committee chair. He was a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the City of Midland and volunteered as a tax consultant through AARP and the Midland Community Center. Douglas was also a musician, participating in many musical groups throughout his lifetime. Saxophone was his favorite instrument and we all loved hearing him play, especially in the "Blast From the Past". As a man of many talents, he also became an adjunct business professor at Northwood Institute after his retirement from Dow Chemical.

Mr. Lake is survived by sons: Norman (Diane) Lake of Midland, Kenneth (Laurie) Lake of Rogers, Arkansas and daughter Marjorie (Robert) Hyde of Dexter, MI. Also survived by grandchildren: Natalie, Jeremy, Krystina, Casey, Keziah, Samantha and Zachary and by great grandchildren: Alex, Fin, Oliver, Meagan and Noah; and his sister, Glenna Chapin of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His warm and nurturing nature, his sense of humor, and eternal optimism will be missed by all who knew him. The family wants to thank the staff and residents of The Caring Place for their extraordinary love and support as well as the 4th and 5th grade Sunday School Class of the First United Methodist Church for their special messages of love. Thanks also to Heartland Hospice for their consistent and excellent care.

Funeral services for Mr. Lake will be conducted at 11:00 am Thursday, February 23, 2012 from the First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Dr. Charles Keyworth and Rev. Dr. J.D. Landis officiating. Interment will be in Midland City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm Wednesday from the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home where a Masonic Memorial service will be conducted at 6:00 pm Wednesday and visitation also at the church from 10:00 am until time of service. Memorials are suggested for the Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation of Midland, toward any of their young children projects.