Eddie Douglas, age 89, of Bay City, Texas passed away on Monday morning, April 3, 2023.

Eddie was born in Palestine, Texas in December 1933 to Murphy and Imo Dell Douglas. As a child, he was fascinated by the waters and forests of East Texas. He said, "I grew up in the best of times. My whole life was planned around the times that I could hunt and fish." Eddie's generational knowledge of the outdoors was passed down to him by his father and uncles. By the time he was a teenager, Eddie was an accomplished hunter, fisherman, and dog trainer. Later in life, he was a civic leader and successful businessman. Eddie lived a happy life guided by the moral principles instilled by his mother, father, and extended family.

Eddie attended Texas A&M University in College Station as a proud member of the Corps of Cadets (C/O 1956). He said, "I learned more about people at Texas A&M than anywhere else I have ever been." Upon the end of his junior year in 1955, Eddie married Margaret Ann Glenn, who was attending Baylor University then. Their long, loving, and supportive relationship lasted until 2011 when Margaret Ann passed away.

After graduating in 1956 with a degree in Animal Husbandry, Eddie went to Fort Benning near Columbus, Georgia where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and was a shooting instructor. Following active duty, Eddie served in the Texas National Guard in El Campo, Texas for nine years. He reached the rank of captain and was the company commander for five years.

Eddie did not know a soul in Bay City, Texas when he arrived in 1957 but after taking the position of Assistant County Agent and serving in that capacity for seven years, he knew everyone in government and many others in the community. Eddie learned how to wade fish in Matagorda Bay, and he discovered great quail hunting in Matagorda County. He believed in living his life to the fullest and in 1962 he told Margaret Ann, "I am going to quit this job. I'm never going to be able to work for anybody. My evaluations are not going to be good because when the hunting is good, I am going to hunt, and when the fishing is good, I'm going to fish, because I only have one life to live and I'm going to enjoy it."

In 1964, Eddie purchased Ranchman's Supply in Bay City and thanks to his gregarious personality and strong work ethic, he discovered that he was a good businessman. He enjoyed serving the Matagorda County farming and ranching communities because it put him in contact with people, and Eddie loved talking with the locals. He was a master storyteller. After 18 years of running Ranchman's Supply, he transitioned into the real estate business as the owner and Broker of Douglas Realty in Bay City. He was also the President of Matthews Street Management Company and an owner of Bay City Public Storage. Eddie actively contributed to the community. He was president of the Bay City Lion's Club, President of the Bay City Little League & Teenage Baseball League, served on the Executive Committee of the Matagorda County Fair Association, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Matagorda County Board of Realtors, an officer of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Directors of Western Gulf Savings and Loan Association, and a Member of the Wesley Class of Bay City First United Methodist Church.

Eddie knew who he was and what he wanted out of life from childhood. He exuded confidence in his lifelong attempts to achieve these goals. People would bring him their questions about life. He said, "Unless someone puts their hand on your shoulder and helps you, you will never be as good as you should be." He was grateful for the people who helped him understand the principles of life, the great outdoors, and the challenges of business. Eddie was always available and willing to help others.

Eddie's greatest pleasure in life was sharing his love for hunting and fishing with his son Glenn, and his grandsons, Robert, and Davidson. In the book he authored, A Hand on Your Shoulder, Eddie described catching trout in the surf with his grandson, Davidson. The lure of choice for this excursion was none other than the Eddie Douglas Special. Catching big trout with the EDS on the beach in a bathtub surf was one of Eddie's favorite ways to fish.

In the forward of his book, which contains many hunting, fishing, and dog stories, Eddie has a photo of Glenn and Margaret Ann. The description below the photos says, "I recorded these stories for the benefit of my grandsons, Davidson, and Robert, and in memory of my son Glenn and my wife Margaret Ann. At the end of his book, Eddie reflected on his life: "It's been a good trip."

Eddie was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Ann Douglas, father, Murphy Douglas; mother, Imo Dell Douglas; brother, Donald Douglas; and son, Glenn Douglas. He is survived by his daughter in-law, Janet Douglas of Bay City; grandchildren, Robert Douglas of Seattle, Washington, Davidson and his wife Macey Douglas, and great-granddaughter, Emerson Glenn Douglas of Houston.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 24 ^th , 2023, at 1:00pm at First Methodist Church located at 2300 Avenue H, Bay City, Texas 77414.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Texas Trio Classic Fishing for a Cure Charity Tournament. Please contact travis.elliott@texastrioclassic.com for additional information.