Douglas Marion Sweet was born in Longview, WA on April 19, 1942 to
Myrna and Ernest Sweet. His father built Crystal Pool and Crystal Pool
Sand & Gravel Co. He spent the largest part of his life in residence in
Kelso, usually out the end of Allen Street. He loved life and was the
biggest kid most people had ever met. He graduated from Kelso High
School in 1960. His father gave him two choices to determine his future,
college of the rock pit at Crystal Pool Sand & Gravel. He chose college in
Arizona but quickly determined that he was not an indoor studious type of
person. He came home to Kelso and began his lifelong career of building
roads with very large Tonka Toys.
Doug was married to Joyce Olson on November 11, 1965. They had two
girls, Chris Karen, in 1966, and Kollette Marie in 1969. They bore him four
grandchildren, Jason Wesley in 1988, Thomas Douglas in 1989, Marie
Arlene in 1991, and Jacob Douglas in 2000. He has three great
grandchildren, David, Nellie, and little Ryan. He was preceded in death by
both his parents, his sisters Joanne Martin and Bev Blanksma, his brother
David Sweet and his nephew Dayne Sweet. He is survived by his
daughters , Chris and Kollette, his nephews Dru Sweet , Wayne Blanksma,
Steve and Kelly Martin, and his nieces Susan Stacy, and Kathy and Teresa
Martin.
Doug excelled at many things. He was a member of the Local 701,
Operating Engineers. He retired in 2005 and told his daughter Chris, “I
don’t know how I ever had time to work!”
Doug was a legend at Crystal Pool for his amazing 1 1/2 dive off the rope
swing. He also magically preformed a backwards dive as well and the only
thing more entertaining was watching the other boys try to do the same,
landing every which way.
Let’s talk bowling. Doug managed a 186 - 206 average from 2001 - 2010.
Rumor had it that he bowled his first 300 game at 18 years old. His dad
offered to let him go pro, but he didn’t want to take the fun out of it. By the
way, there were more 300 games to come.
Doug was well travelled. He had been in 50 states by the time he met and
married the love of his life, Judy Elwell Walter’s in July of 2008. It took a
while for them to marry, he wanted to be sure she was a keeper. Doug and
Judy spent many vacations in their favorite place, the Hawaiian Islands.
Doug was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 28 years , and the
family asks that any remembrances be donated to the American Diabetes .
His oldest grandson Jason shared this trait since the age of 14.
Life with Doug was always and adventure. He loved football, preferring
college and high school games to the NFL. He was a season ticket holder
for the Washington Huskies for many years and enjoyed traveling to
Seattle for the games, brunching at Francos and taking the trip across
Lake Washington on the 200-foot Obsession. Judy and Doug enjoyed the
game of football and made many lifelong friends as well. He could often be
seen at the Kelso High School games and was very proud of the new
stadium. It’s fitting his memorial is being held at the Kelso Elks as Doug
was a lifelong member of the Elks.
Sunday, January 21, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm (Pacific time)
Elks Kelso/Longview Lodge # 1482
Visits: 132
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