Douglas Assid class of 1974
February 11, 1956 - February 25, 2024 (68 years old), Springdale, Arkansas.
We are sad to announce that on February 25, 2024 we had to say goodbye to Douglas Assid (Springdale, Arkansas).
Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Douglas Assid to show support.
Published by www.echovita.com
Thank you to Jan Jussila class of 1974 for notification.
Douglas Assid class of 1974
February 11, 1956 - February 25, 2024
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At this time, no obituary description has been created for Douglas Assid.
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Douglas Assid class of 1974
February 11, 1956 – February 22, 2024
Douglas Assid, an Okemos native who worked in his family’s laundry and dry-cleaning shop from the time he was old enough to hold a mop then grew up to run the business, died February 22, 2024, while visiting relatives in Arkansas. He was 68.
Doug worked hard and played hard. He was beloved by his family and a wide circle of friends. He was happiest when he was fishing or hunting or riding his motorcycle.
He was always there for his friends and family, from caring for his elderly parents until they died to volunteering to fix a buddy’s motorcycle.
Doug was born February 11, 1956, in Okemos, Michigan, to Joseph Nicholas and Gloria Hinkley Assid, the fourth of five children.
The family bought Midwest Laundries in 1963 and everyone was expected to help make the business a success.
All the children worked at the shop after school from the time they were little. Doug’s first jobs there were mopping the floors and cleaning the windows until they gleamed.
As he got older, Doug took on more responsibilities in the family business, from fixing the coin-operated washers and dryers to waiting on customers. He played a big role when his parents expanded the business by purchasing other dry-cleaning and laundry establishments in the greater Lansing area.
There wasn’t a lot of free time, but he sometimes managed to sneak away to go hunting and fishing.
Doug was popular and made many lifelong friends at Okemos High School, where he graduated in 1974.
He was still in high school when he got his first motorcycle, a BSA, the first of many that he would own. He later had Harleys.
Doug often took long motorcycle rides with his friends. For years he and his buddy, Gregg, would explore the West by motorcycle. Doug was usually the first person friends would call when they needed help fixing a bike.
Nothing made him happier than fly-fishing on the Manistee or Au Sable rivers, especially if he was with a group of friends that included Terry and some of his brothers, and John, Jack and Jerry, among others.
He and Terry also looked forward to their regular pheasant hunting trips to Iowa.
As his parents aged, he took over the operation of the family business, which had grown to several locations.
Doug was always there for his family. He lived in the home that his parents purchased in 1958, assisting with repairs and helping grow raspberries, tulips and roses in the large backyard garden. With Doug’s help, both his parents were able to remain in the home they loved until they died, his father in 2008 and his mother in 2023.
He eventually sold the business. After his mother died, Doug sold the house, bought a trailer and spent his time traveling around the country. He was always happy to see his son, Jared, when he was on leave from his work as a medic in Iraq and to visit his daughter, Lindsey, a former flight attendant who lives in Dallas with her three children.
Doug was visiting his former wife, Jackie, when he died in Arkansas.
Doug’s many friends played a big role in his life and his death leaves a void that won’t easily be filled.
In addition to his son, daughter and three grandchildren, he is survived by his brother, Steven, of White Lake, Michigan and sisters Joan Assid of Orange County, California, and Linda Hoagy of Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Another sister, Susan Griggs, died before him.
The Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale, Arkansas, handled arrangements.
Doug would not have wanted anyone to make a fuss over him. In keeping with his wishes, no funeral is planned. Instead, his brother, Steve, and son, Jared, will honor his life by scattering his ashes at his favorite fishing hole.
Thank you Gerard Durocher class of 1972 for notification.
Tom Mills (1974)
Last time I saw Doug he was grocery shopping with his mom. Can still remember him riding around Okemos on his motorcycle. Great guy. Tom Mills