Douglas MacPhee

Douglas MacPhee passed away in Centrica Hospice Care at Rose Arbor, in Kalamazoo Michigan, on February 9, 2023, at the age of 99 years old. Doug was born to Hilda and Angus MacPhee in 1923 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended Kalamazoo High School.  He was  a proud United States Army, World War II  Veteran. Doug married the beautiful Irma Ruth Nash and in 1947 they had a son, James Douglas MacPhee. Doug was a graduate of Western Michigan University and worked in heating and cooling all of his career.

Doug was the life of the party. He loved people and had a unique zest for life. He had an open door policy at his home and each evening and weekend you would hear music playing or the Detroit Tigers on the radio in his garage with friends and neighbors gathered around telling stories, laughing and having a lukewarm cocktail. For the winter months he created his dream tiki bar in his basement so all could continue gathering. This sense of loving life, having fun, and gathering with friends and neighbors was at the core of who he was his entire life.

For many years he drove the Mayor of Portage, Michigan in the Veterans day parade in his baby blue leisure suit and baby blue convertible Oldsmobile. 

Doug was an inventor. To the astonishment of many he would repurpose everything he found from furniture to car parts into something unique and useful. He also loved inventing recipes, some were frightened to take a bite, as he might throw a watermelon seed in a chocolate chip cookie to “add moisture” or his famous eggs and noodles recipe that surprised all in being delicious and becoming a family staple.

He loved animals and would leave his breezeway door open with bowls of food and water to feed all animals that found their way in. His cat George learned to share his food nicely with the other neighborhood animals for many years. 

Doug was notorious for his one liner jokes and his quick wit He also told big stories, of which not all were true, but fun to listen to nonetheless. 

Doug’s family believes he lived to be nearly 100 years old due to his way of living each day fully. Even in his younger years he didn’t look forward, nor did he look back with regret, he lived today to its fullest with having  fun in mind. 

Doug is preceded in death by his wife Irma Ruth MacPhee, his son James MacPhee, his twin sister Doris Giddings, brother-in-law Max Giddings, brother Don MacPhee, sister-in-law Averil MacPhee and sister Margie Giddings.

Doug is survived by his daughter-in-law Judy MacPhee, his granddaughters Kimberly Critz (Ben), Stephanie Wojick (Jeff), great granddaughters Maddie and Natalie Wojcik and countless friends and family who will miss his jokes and free spirit.

Doug’s life will be celebrated during a private family committal service and he will be laid to rest at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park South.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Kalamazoo Humane Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Doug’s guestbook and/or share a memory with his family.

The MacPhee family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. 269-649-1697.