Douglas Frank Coghill was born June 13, 1929, on a farm outside of Medford. His family moved to the city of Medford when he was in the ninth grade. He was very athletic and played several sports at Medford High School. His coach, Bill Bowerman, one of the founders of Nike, insisted that the football players also went out for track and field. Doug earned an athletic scholarship to play football at the University of Oregon. He joined the Theta Chi Fraternity. In September of 1949 he was in Eugene preparing for the football season when he spotted his future wife, Beverly. He said to his friend, Look at that beautiful redhead, I’m going to marry her. They were married the following year and celebrated their 65th anniversary this year. They were still very much in love.

Doug joined the U.S. Navy after he graduated from the University of Oregon. He was stationed on Whidbey Island, in Oak Harbor, Washington, and was a control tower operator. Their daughters, DeAnn (Schnepple) and Teresa (Gooley) were born on the Navy base.

After his discharge from the Navy, he joined ESCO as a stainless steel salesman. He was very successful and was transferred to Southern California where he continued his career in management and sales. Their son, David, was born in Anaheim, California. In 1971, Doug was transferred back to Portland and the family settled in a house on Lake Oswego. There were many summers filled with boating, water skiing and barbeques on the lake. Doug started his own company, Coghill Metal Sales, several years ago and was still working at the time of his death.

In his later years, Doug enjoyed golfing with his friends at the Lake Oswego Municipal Golf Course. They had a rule that no one could talk about grandkids or ailments for more than three minutes. He also taught writing and submitted several articles for the Lake Oswego Review. He enjoyed coffee with his friends on weekday mornings for the last several years. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sporting events, dance performances and plays over the years. He had seven grandchildren, Meghan, Jason, Doug, Jonathan, Sarah, Michelle and James; and three great-grandchildren. He was very proud of his family. His daughter, DeAnn, preceded him in death three years ago.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 21, 2015, at United Methodist Church, 1855 S. Shore Blvd., Lake Oswego. A reception will follow.