RAY R. DOUGLASS 1894-1970

HAMILTON, DOUGLASS, BROOKS, JANSEN, COUTO

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 6/20/2005 at 17:12:35

RAY R. DOUGLASS 1894-1970

Services Held For Ray Douglass Longtime Postville Businessman

Funeral services for Ray R. Douglass, 75, were held in the Community Presbyterian Church, Postville, Monday, Jan. 26, 1970, at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Dick Harberts, officiating. Masonic services were conducted by the Grand Lodge of Iowa. Mr. Douglass died Thursday, Jan. 22, 1970 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Postville.

Ray R. Douglass, son of Rueben Noble Douglass and May Hamilton was born Nov. 10, 1894 in Postville. He received his early education in the public schools in Postville. He attended Iowa State University, Ames, for a year, then transferred to the University of Iowa, Iowa City, graduating from the School of Pharmacy in 1916.

In 1917 he served in the armed forces in France. Upon his return he operated the Douglass Pharmacy, being the third generation of his family in the business which has been in existence 98 years.

On Feb. 14, 1920 he was united in marriage to Ruth L. Brooks of Corning. Two daughters were born to this union, Betty, Mrs. Jay Jansen, of Pomona, California and Mrs. Darlene Couto of Postville.

Active in the Democratic party, Mr. Douglass also served on the Library Board and was a charter member of the Arthur F. Brandt Post No 518 American legion serving as first adjutant and was a 51 year member. He belonged to the V. F. W. in Decorah, the Oddfellows and was a 50 year member of the Brotherly Love Lodge No 204. He belonged to the Scottish Rite Club in Decorah and the Consistory in Cedar Rapids. From 1955 to 1956 Mr. Douglass was Grand Master of Masons in Iowa. He wrote reviews for the Grand Lodge Bulletin and served on the Board of Trustees of Masons.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; two daughters, Mrs. Jay Jansen of Pomona, California and Mrs. Darlene Couto of Postville; one brother, Harvey of Postville; a sister, Ruth Douglass of Santa Monica, California; two grandsons, C. Douglass Couto a student at the University of Iowa, Iowa City and Pfc. Edward Couto, stationed in Germany.

Interment was in the Postville Cemetery.

Postville Herald - contributed by Mary Durr