Douglas Moe Obituary

DOUGLAS A. MOE
December 8, 1928 ˜ March 21, 2023

Douglas Arthur Moe (94) was born Dec. 8, 1928, to Arthur and Hannah Moe in Highland, WA, and died March 21, 2023, in Vancouver, WA, surrounded by family. The house where he was born still stands on Moe Road in Highland.
Doug’s father died when he was 10, leaving him to care for his mother and his older sister, Virginia, who had cerebral palsy. Caregiving became a major role in his life; one that he embraced with patience and good humor.
Doug attended elementary school in Highland and graduated from LaCenter High School in 1947. He was a natural story teller with a great memory.
It was in third grade at Highland Elementary School that Doug met his first wife, Audrey Hatfield. Doug and Audrey shared a love of music and in high school performed throughout the area in a group called “Marie and the Five Strings.” Audrey played the violin and Doug the steel guitar. They married in 1949 and went on to have five children who they adored: Niki, Rod, Louise, Randy and Peggy.
Tragically, Audrey died at only 36. Two years later, Doug married Dee Miller who brought her children, Sharry and Paul, to the union. Doug embraced Dee’s children as his own and developed strong, loving bonds with them. When people would ask “who belongs to who”, Dad would just say, “We are one big happy family”.
Early in life, Doug developed a passion for motor vehicles that led to a 30-year career as a truck driver for Zellerbach Paper Co. Doug received many commendations from Zellerbach customers for the outstanding service he provided.
He was only six when he built his first car. That led to many more cars over the years. Doug could describe every detail of every car he ever owned and he put 135,000 miles on a Honda Goldwing motorcycle with wife, Dee, right behind him. For many years, they were members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association with the motto, “Riding for the SON” and he served for several terms as its chaplain.
Doug’s life was centered in his strong Christian faith. He and Dee were active members of the Vancouver First Church of God. Doug drove the church bus for 20 years, used his carpentry skills to help build the church’s new facility, served on the King’s Way School Board and taped Sunday services for shut ins. Later in life he developed a unique ministry of his own, making hundreds of note cards and note card holders from mostly recycled materials. He gifted the cards and holders to new acquaintances as a way of demonstrating Christian love and gratitude.
Doug was predeceased by his parents, sister, and wives. He is survived by his children: Sharry Amrein, (Warren), Niki Holston (Gary), Rod Moe (Charlene), Louise Kato (Mike), Paul Miller (Debby), Randy Moe, Peggy Moe (Marty Fernandez); 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
The Moe family extends its deepest appreciation to the outstanding staff of the Van Mall Retirement Community, Community Home Health and Hospice, and Pastor Dave Schroeder.
A memorial service, conducted by Pastor Rena Marvel Hess, will be held on Saurday, April 15, at 1 p.m., at the Vancouver First Church of God, 3300 NE 78th St. All who knew Doug are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to King’s Way Church Schools. General donations can be made at www.kwcs.org. Select the “Support KWCS” link. You may also contact King’s Way at 360-816-1225 to arrange a donation.
Please share a memory @ www.columbian.com/obits