JACKSONVILLE  -  David Jay Douglas, 85, of Jacksonville, passed from this life Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Naval Regional Medical Center, Camp Lejeune.  He was born on April 25, 1939, in Dayton, Ohio, to Donald Douglas and June Jeffrey Douglas.  David (Dave) grew up in Connersville, Indiana, and joined the Navy after he graduated from high school.  The Navy selected him for a NROTC scholarship to the University of Nebraska.  Upon his graduation, he became an officer in the United States Marine Corps.  He served many duty stations with pride, including two tours of duty in Vietnam, and he retired as a Major.

Upon his retirement, he worked for several real estate agencies in Jacksonville.  He was active in the community, and he was a devoted member of Trinity Methodist Church, where he filled many positions of leadership.  He especially loved serving as President of Methodist Men.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Daryll and Denny Douglas.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Linda; his son, Mark and his family: Tara, Mark's wife, and Ian, Austin, and Hayden, Mark's children.  He is also survived by a half-brother, Eric Hardy and his wife, Linda, and a stepbrother, Rodney Hardy, two sisters-in law, Carol Morrison and Virginia Bartter, and several nieces.  Dave's devotion to his family was always evident, and he will be missed by all of us.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 31, 2025, at Trinity Methodist Church.  Burial, with military honors, will follow at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Sunday evening, March 30, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel and a reception will follow the burial at Trinity Methodist Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers or to the Surfrider Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting our coastlines, which he dearly loved.  A lover of Jesus Christ, God's children, and nature, David Douglas will always hold a unique place in our hearts.