Doug attended school at Sinclair River School until grade eight, then into Minitonas for grade nine. The next three years Doug attended Swan Valley Regional School where he graduated from grade twelve in 1970. Aside from the obvious farming tasks, Doug had many jobs and worked hard to be good at whatever he did. He worked awhile at Valley Livestock Sales, then began a construction job, along with his brother John, working for his best friend's dad, Cliff Maycher. Maycher Construction headed west to the Edmonton area and Doug joined them there for a while. He later returned to the Swan Valley where he worked selling Versatile, Allis-Chalmbers and Jeep Products for Valley Equipment Ltd. Once Valley Equipment closed, he moved down the street selling for CCIL (Canadian Cooperative Implements Ltd) where he stayed until taking a job with the Swan Valley School Division where, I might add, he was a valued employee. This was his final employer whom he was in his sixteenth year of service with at the time of his passing. Besides his full-time jobs, Doug always seemed to find more to do. He helped many local farmers during their busy seasons, including Dog and John's own farm. Also he did various construction jobs for many different people, from building bins and machine sheds, to small renovations and home additions, most often with the help of his two boys, Jason and Chris. Doug found time around the community for other tasks including tilling gardens and cutting grass for those who needed it.

In the winter of 1976, Doug and Sandra met in Swan River where they were later married in 1977. They lived there briefly, until Doug found them a house in Minitonas, where they have resided since. In 1983, their first born came along, a son whom they named Christopher James. Eight years later, another son was born, Jason Douglas and in 1994 they had a daughter, Katherine Cheryl Lynn. On December 24, 2003, they celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary, and they just had their 28th.

Doug loved the farm and loved the outdoors. He would spend the springs and summers camping, fishing, gardening and riding bikes with his kids. In the fall he liked to hunt, fish and just loved to help with the harvest. In the winter, curling, ski-dooing and also hockey and street hockey. Doug also coached baseball and hockey for his kids, and was supportive of their sporting interests. As a hobby Doug enjoyed working with wood to build various things from signs to kitchen cabinets. Visiting his many friends and relatives was also a favorite way for Doug to spend his time and he loved being able to help them all in any possible way he could.

There were many groups that Dog was a part of. He was member of the Minitonas Curling Club for many years, and was also a volunteer board member at the Minitonas and District Arena for a number of years. He was also on the negotiating committee for his co-workers at the SVSD and represented them as best he could. In general Doug just loved to volunteer. Anytime there was any need, he was glad to help in any way he could at any time at all. From church suppers, to arena fundraisers, or whatever the need, he just loved his community and always wanted to do his part to keep it all going.