Douglas Brown Webster

Surrounded by his family, Doug Webster passed away on June 27, 2023, at the Heartford House in Owensboro, KY. Doug was born at his grandparents’ farm in McLean County, KY to John Daniel and Lorene Webster on the snowy winter day of February 11, 1930. He grew up on the farm, attended the new Beech Grove Consolidated School, and had an overall wonderful childhood. Highlights included visits from his cousin Jenna Tichenor, his good friend Randall, and trips to visit family in Paducah and South Bend.

Although they did not have electricity, they did have a battery-operated radio. Doug spent as much time as he could each night listening to Big Band-era music playing on far-away radio stations. This sparked both a love of music and an interest in radio, each of which would play a large part in his life.

Doug and his mother moved to Owensboro in 1944, where he attended Owensboro Senior High School. It was there that he met Jimmy Bennett, who would become a life-long friend. He got his first job working at the soda fountain at Sterling's Drug Store, an experience he would refer to almost 40 years later. In 1947, while still in school, he went to work for WVJS, helping maintain the transmitter and later setting up remote broadcasts.

He graduated in 1948 and started a second job at the Interstate Store record department. In 1949, he and his good friend Leroy Woodward formed a partnership and started a record store he named Wax Works. It was there that he met the love of his life Joyce Coy. They married in 1955.

After 15 years, Wax Works was so successful that Leroy and Doug split the business, with Doug taking the wholesale portion. Doug and Joyce, along with some wonderful employees, operated the business until 1983. At that time, another opportunity arose, and they opened The Sweet Shoppe in the Executive Inn, operating it until 1996. It was there that the experience from Sterling's Soda Fountain in 1944 paid off.

Doug loved his country and proudly served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1953 to 1957, alongside his friend Jimmy Bennett.

While always an entrepreneur, his primary interests were his family and his faith. Doug and Joyce raised three children, providing them with a loving and supportive home life and weeks of adventures each summer pulling the travel trailer to various campgrounds. Among his favorites were Hillman's Ferry at Kentucky Lake and Outdoor Resorts at Gatlinburg, where the days would often start at the Pancake Pantry and nights end with a stop at the Donut Friar.

Doug and Joyce's house was always open to their children's friends, and many nights large groups of kids spent hours playing pool in the rec room. There was a lull when the three children grew up, but it was short-lived, and grandchildren and their friends frequently came to the house to swim in Gaga's pool.

Doug was a gentle and compassionate person. He rarely raised his voice and to anyone's knowledge never used a four-letter word. That was no doubt a life lesson taught to him long ago by his grandmother. He was raised a Baptist, being baptized in the waters of the Green River at Calhoun in the 1930s. In the early 1950's, his friend Cecil Dodd introduced him to the Episcopal Church. He joined Trinity Episcopal Church and was an active member until his death.

Over the years he served in several volunteer positions, including Eucharistic Lay Minister. His most recent responsibility was scheduling readers and Eucharistic Ministers, and only a few days before he died, he was worried about getting out the next schedule.

Doug found comfort and guidance in the Word of God given in the Holy Bible. His favorite version was the Good News Bible, which he read and studied daily until his death. His faith in Christ Jesus was strong and it reassured him during his last days. He was confident that his Lord would not place on him a burden greater than he could endure and that upon his death he would be in paradise with Jesus.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents John Daniel and Lorene, special grandparents Frank and Ozetta Lee, and Joyce, his dear wife of 61 years. He is survived by sons Doug II (Sheila), Wayne (Tuula), daughter Susan Mathison (Dan), grandchildren Amanda Glenn (Patrick Tines) and Haley Adams (Cory), and great-grandchildren Gabe, Molly, and Owen.

Special thanks to Dr. Lee Newberry, the nurses and staff at Heartford House, and his devoted caregivers Jane Coomes and Kristen Coomes.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to Trinity Episcopal Church or Heartford House. Visitation is from 3pm to 7pm Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church. The funeral service will be at 10am Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church, with a reception to follow.

Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Memories and messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.glenncares.com.