Arthur L. “Lee” McDougall

Arthur L. “Lee” McDougall, 81, died Aug. 28, 2012, at home surrounded by his family.

A celebration of life was at 2 p.m., Sept. 1 at the McDougall family home in Houston. A memorial service is planned at a later date in Leavenworth, Wash.

Lee was born June 11, 1931, in North Bend and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951, where he served four years assigned to the U.S. Naval Submarine fleet. He received the National Defense Medal. He then worked as a pile buck with the carpenters union in Washington and retired in 1979. Lee came to Alaska in 1989 to chase fish. He fell in love with Alaska and then traveled up the Alaska Highway shortly afterward to make Alaska his home.

Lee had the biggest heart, the bluest eyes and a smile that would melt your heart. He was an avid hunter and loved to fish. Every year the family would set up moose camp where Lee would pass on his knowledge and passion for hunting and fishing to his children and grandchildren. It was always common that no one would catch a fish until he caught the first one. He enjoyed time on the boat fishing for halibut or cruising around Whittier and Prince William Sound. Known as Dad, Lee, Papa or Spanky, he loved being with his family and friends; it didn’t matter if it was in the garage, on the boat or walking down a trail, he was always happiest being in the outdoors surrounded by his family and friends.

Surviving are daughter and son-in-law, Tonya and Jerry Myers of Farmington, Ark.; son and daughter-in-law, Darrin and Trish McDougall of Houston; son and daughter-in-law, David and Linda McDougall of Wasilla; stepson and daughter-in-law, Pat and Barb Brown of Oregon; daughter-in-law, Cyndi Jernstrom of Alaska; brother and wife, Gary and Teddi McDougall of Washington; brother and wife, Terry and Melody McDougall; sister and husband, Sally and Mike Peterman of Washington; sister, Gracie Williams of Washington; grandson and wife, Justin and Alejandra Snopko of Farmington, Ark.; grandson, Garrett Myers of Farmington, Ark.; granddaughters, Alex Nicole Myers of Farmington, Ark., and Ashlee McDougall of Houston; granddaughter, Chelsea and husband David McCubbin of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson; granddaughters, Jaelyn McDougall and Jolie McDougall; grandson, Theodore Gordon of Anchorage; great-grandchildren, McKenna and Bentley McCubbin; granddaughter, Mellisa Delduca of California; grandson, Nick Yellen of California; granddaughters, Kris Sholin of Washington and Shelby Brown of Alaska; grandson, Robert Brown of Alaska; grandson and wife, Patrick and Rachel Brown of Oregon; granddaughter, Rachel Brown of Oregon; grandsons, Charlie Kretzchmar and Tim Kretzchmar of Oregon; and granddaughter, Kendra Kretzchmar of Oregon.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Shirlane McDougall; son, John McDougall; step-daughter, Donna Delducca; parents, Dick and Georgia McDougall; sister, Judy Hundley; and ex-wife, Darlene Shepard.

Lee had a wide circle of friends all over Alaska and the Lower 48; too many to name. You all know who you are. He loved you.

A special thank you to Leigha Simpson for her dedication and hard work for Lee and the McDougall family. A special thank you to Lee Walker, Julie and all of the people at Mat-Su Hospice for all the special care they provided. The family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts.

Arrangements were by Cremation Society of Alaska. A guestbook is online at alaskacremation.com.