Douglas Marion Sweet

Douglas Marion Sweet was born in Longview, WA on April 19, 1942 to

Myrna and Ernest Sweet. His father built Crystal Pool and Crystal Pool

Sand & Gravel Co. He spent the largest part of his life in residence in

Kelso, usually out the end of Allen Street. He loved life and was the

biggest kid most people had ever met. He graduated from Kelso High

School in 1960. His father gave him two choices to determine his future,

college of the rock pit at Crystal Pool Sand & Gravel. He chose college in

Arizona but quickly determined that he was not an indoor studious type of

person. He came home to Kelso and began his lifelong career of building

roads with very large Tonka Toys.

Doug was married to Joyce Olson on November 11, 1965. They had two

girls, Chris Karen, in 1966, and Kollette Marie in 1969. They bore him four

grandchildren, Jason Wesley in 1988, Thomas Douglas in 1989, Marie

Arlene in 1991, and Jacob Douglas in 2000. He has three great

grandchildren, David, Nellie, and little Ryan. He was preceded in death by

both his parents, his sisters Joanne Martin and Bev Blanksma, his brother

David Sweet and his nephew Dayne Sweet. He is survived by his

daughters , Chris and Kollette, his nephews Dru Sweet , Wayne Blanksma,

Steve and Kelly Martin, and his nieces Susan Stacy, and Kathy and Teresa

Martin.

Doug excelled at many things. He was a member of the Local 701,

Operating Engineers. He retired in 2005 and told his daughter Chris, “I

don’t know how I ever had time to work!”

Doug was a legend at Crystal Pool for his amazing 1 1/2 dive off the rope

swing. He also magically preformed a backwards dive as well and the only

thing more entertaining was watching the other boys try to do the same,

landing every which way.

Let’s talk bowling. Doug managed a 186 - 206 average from 2001 - 2010.

Rumor had it that he bowled his first 300 game at 18 years old. His dad

offered to let him go pro, but he didn’t want to take the fun out of it. By the

way, there were more 300 games to come.

Doug was well travelled. He had been in 50 states by the time he met and

married the love of his life, Judy Elwell Walter’s in July of 2008. It took a

while for them to marry, he wanted to be sure she was a keeper. Doug and

Judy spent many vacations in their favorite place, the Hawaiian Islands.

Doug was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 28 years , and the

family asks that any remembrances be donated to the American Diabetes .

His oldest grandson Jason shared this trait since the age of 14.

Life with Doug was always and adventure. He loved football, preferring

college and high school games to the NFL. He was a season ticket holder

for the Washington Huskies for many years and enjoyed traveling to

Seattle for the games, brunching at Francos and taking the trip across

Lake Washington on the 200-foot Obsession. Judy and Doug enjoyed the

game of football and made many lifelong friends as well. He could often be

seen at the Kelso High School games and was very proud of the new

stadium. It’s fitting his memorial is being held at the Kelso Elks as Doug

was a lifelong member of the Elks.