A funeral service honoring the life of Retired City of Monroe Fire Chief, George E. Douglas will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. in the chapel of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 1200 Lamy Lane, Monroe. Visitation will be 1:00 P.M. until service time at the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Warren Eckhardt. Interment will follow with full honors at Mulhearn Memorial Park cemetery, 623 US HWY 80, Monroe. Services are under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home Monroe.

George E. Douglas, lovingly known as Chief, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the age of 84, surrounded by his loving family.

George was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mellie Douglas; brothers, Earl Douglas (Yvonne) and Marshall Douglas; sisters, Helen Landby and Elsie Justice; beloved in-laws, Forrest “Frosty” and Lillie Odell Roberts. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Pat; son, Tracy Douglas (Cynthia); son, Paul Douglas; daughter, DeAnn VanDerGracht (David); grandchildren, Brandon Henderson (Sarah); Garrett Douglas (Sydney); Kyle VanDerGracht (Kaitie), and Kole VanDerGracht; one great-granddaughter, Perry Henderson. Other survivors are his sisters, Donna McLaughlin, Jerry Calloway, and Betty Crawford (Ken); special friend and ex-brother in law, Walter “L-Baby” Foust as well as many other cherished family and friends.

George was born on January 15, 1940, in Holly Ridge, Louisiana as one of 10 children to James and Mellie Toney Douglas. His father was a farmer and carpenter. From the time he was a young boy, George took over in the fields so his father could make a living for the family as a carpenter. He graduated from Holly Ridge High School in 1958. George and the family moved to Monroe in 1959 where he met Pat in November of that year through friends, Walter Foust and Jerry Thomas. They married at Central Baptist Church on April 1, 1961. They had three beautiful children- Tracy, Paul, and DeAnn. George was extremely proud of his children, as if he was walking on air!

He became a fireman for the City of Monroe in June of 1961 where he worked up through the ranks. George was appointed Fire Chief on September 17, 1988 and retired on July 1, 1995. He spent countless hours working in the Louisiana Legislature where he was instrumental in obtaining pensions for state firefighters. George served for many years as secretary treasurer of the Professional Firefighters Association of Louisiana and at retirement was named Secretary Treasurer Emeritus. He also served on the board of directors for the Louisiana Firefighters Retirement System. One of his proudest accomplishments as Fire Chief was implementing the emergency medical services into the fire department.

George had 4 grandchildren- Brandon, Garrett, Kyle, and Kole. He was an avid supporter of all activities that his children and grandchildren were involved in. His grand boys were the joy of his life, and those boys loved their Papaw!

George touched many lives through his 28 years of service in Alcoholics Anonymous. He was respected and loved by all who knew him there. He even earned his own special chair at AA meetings in which no one was allowed to sit but George.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Henderson, Garrett Douglas, Kyle VanDerGracht, Kole VanDerGracht, David VanDerGracht, Austin Haman, and Ronnie Lockwood. Honorary pallbearers will be special nephews, Mark McConaughey and Randy McConaughey and all active and retired members of the City of Monroe Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Alcoholics Anonymous, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or charity of the donor’s choice.

Online remembrances may be left for the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

Monroe, LA

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