Michael G. “Swede” Douglas

A memorial visitation for Michael G. Douglas, best known as “Swede”, 64, Lawrence will be held from 5-7pm, Friday, March 4, 2016 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. No formal service will be held per Swede’s request. He passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at his home.

Swede was born April 4, 1951 in Salina, KS the son of Gene and Eleanor (Oborg) Douglas. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Diane (Johnson) Douglas and their two sons Walker and fiancé, Sarah Shaffer, Lawrence, KS; Cole, Oklahoma City, OK; Sarah’s two sons Elliott and Silas; one sister, Susan Baird and husband, Todd, Salina, KS; two brothers, Steve Douglas and wife, Debbie, Assaria, KS, Roger Douglas and partner, Abdo Dagher, Vancouver, BC; and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces, nephews.

He graduated from Southeast Saline High School as a standout athlete. He then attended the University of Kansas where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Business. Swede was also a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. After graduation he became an IRS Agent where he served 37 years until he retired in 2010.

Swede was a member of the Lawrence Country Club for 36 years, where he served as a two-term Board President, and two-term Board Treasurer. He was an avid golfer and spent much of his time enjoying the game with his buddies. Including an annual trip for over 30 years to Lake Tahoe, and several other golfing adventures with his best pals. He was also the “appointed” Treasurer for many of the bets placed on the golf course because he was a trustworthy man with high integrity. Swede also helped organize fundraising efforts through golf events to help benefit Free State Athletics as well as the spirit squads. He enjoyed his time as the Chair for the Free State Football Team breakfast from 2000-2004. He was an avid chef at home and loved cooking dinner for the family and for various other gatherings like tailgates, team dinners, and watch parties.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in his name to Center for Advanced Heart Care – KU Med, The American Heart Association, or the Kansas Athletics Williams Education Fund and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

37 Condolences

  1. John Ballard on March 1, 2016 at 9:45 pm

    Deeply love and miss my brother, Swede! God’s blessings on Mike and the entire Douglas Family!



  2. Ron and Di Hazen on March 2, 2016 at 8:50 am

    So sorry to hear about Swede…..you will be in our thoughts and prayers.



  3. Sarah Campbell on March 2, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    Diane & family
    I was sorry to read of your husbands passing. May you have wonderful memories to help you through this difficult time.

    Sarah



  4. Steve Perkins on March 2, 2016 at 3:55 pm

    Thoughts and prayers to his family as they hold the happy memories of a great guy in their hearts. I will miss my Brother in the Bond as will so many others.



  5. Ann Hamil on March 2, 2016 at 8:18 pm

    So sorry to hear this Diane. If you need anything you know where to find me.



  6. Jill Brungardt on March 2, 2016 at 10:06 pm

    I’m so very sorry to hear about Mike. I worked with him for many years and came to know him as a wonderful, kind, and caring man. He will be greatly missed. Please know my thoughts are with you.



  7. Travis Karr on March 2, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    Swede you’ll be missed. Douglas’ you’re in my thoughts and prayers.



  8. Janci Mullen on March 2, 2016 at 11:52 pm

    So sorry to hear! Hugs and prayers!



  9. Bob and Sylvia Sommerhauser on March 3, 2016 at 5:48 am

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!



  10. J.D. Nelson on March 3, 2016 at 7:14 am

    Diane,

    So very sorry to learn of your loss. Thought and prayers for you and your family.



  11. Kathryn King on March 3, 2016 at 8:21 am

    A wonderful, fun loving man! I will always remember Swede for his smile and warm sense of humor! Prayers go out for immediate and extended family! Love to you Diane.



  12. Norm and Carolyn Yoder on March 3, 2016 at 8:31 am

    We regret that we will be unable to attend the memorial visitation but know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We have many wonderful memories of Mike and his family. Coach Yoder



  13. Terry Burris on March 3, 2016 at 8:43 am

    Diane, so sorry to hear of Swede’s passing. Praying for you and your family.



  14. Laura Blanchard on March 3, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Stephen and I wanted to send our condolences. We always enjoyed him out on the golf Course at Lawrence Country Club. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

    Stephen and Laura Blanchard



  15. Amy Reid Green on March 3, 2016 at 9:08 am

    Diane,
    I am so sorry to hear about Swede. Working in the golf shop for so many years I was fortunate to get to know all of the golfers and the men my Dad was friends with. I know Wally is right there with Swede now. Prayers for you and your family my friend. Love, Amy And Glenda



  16. Jerry and Janet Magnuson on March 3, 2016 at 9:17 am

    We were so sorry to hear about Swede. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Diane and the family. We regret we will be unable to attend the visitation. God Bless,

    Jerry and Janet



  17. Jill Stueve on March 3, 2016 at 9:25 am

    No one wore a tux with a red bow tie and cumberbund like Swede. Great man, high integrity, and a darn good cookie and Chex mix maker. The Stueves are thinking of the Douglas family now and forever. ❤️



  18. Marvin Hunt on March 3, 2016 at 9:48 am

    Diane, so sorry to hear about Swede’s passing! Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers and let us know if we can help with anything. Marvin and Cathy Hunt



  19. Les and Cheryl Harrod on March 3, 2016 at 10:09 am

    Dear Diane,
    We extend our sincere condolences to you, Walker, Sarah, and Cole. Although such a difficult time, know the lovely legacy that you and Swede as a couple have given to us through your caring friendships, loving hearts…and of course the legacy of your wonderful children. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.



  20. Pam Madaus on March 3, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Diane,

    So sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts & prayers.



  21. Iva and Alan Clark on March 3, 2016 at 11:41 am

    We’re so sorry for you and your family’s loss. I hope peaceful feelings will be with you and your family soon.



  22. Mel & Diana Deutsch on March 3, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    Our heart felt sympathies to you Diane and your family in the loss of Swede. Great fun loving man who I know will be missed by many.
    God Bless you all with his Love.



  23. Nancy (Humphries) Owens on March 3, 2016 at 1:50 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy and prayers for the entire Douglas family. God Bless.



  24. Rick McKernan on March 3, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Swede was a remarkable person. Even though time and geography had separated us by a great distance, we were and always will be united in the bond of friendship. From a blue foot that I was afraid would get me crushed, to Room 19 roommates, few people I have met over the years have been such a collection of contrasts: strength yet gentleness, brilliance yet fun-spirited – someone I am fortunate to have known. Blessings and peace to all the Douglas family.



  25. Bill "Balz" Myers on March 3, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    The mold was broken when Swede was born! He was one of a kind and was known his kind heart, his love of family, his love of Jayhawks and friends. We will miss him, his sense of humor, and his keen wit! God rest his soul!



  26. Bob Stanclift on March 3, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    I regret that I can not attend tonight’s services. Mike was not only a very close friend and fraternity brother but Swede and the Douglas family have been so dear and caring to me and my family for so many years. My condolences are heart felt as Swede and his family have meant so much to so many people. I feel so honored to have shared all the memories and good times with Mike and his family. My blessings are with you all.



  27. Tammy (Widau) Schmidt on March 3, 2016 at 4:46 pm

    Diane, I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband. May your wonderful memories help comfort you. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.



  28. Linda & Jerry Morton on March 3, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    Diane, Jerry and I were so saddened to learn of Swede’s passing. We are out of town and learned of it by chance. Our thoughts are with you. You both were such fun people! It will be hard without him I know.
    Linda and Jerry Morton



  29. Marla Farrar on March 3, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    Diane: I’m so sorry to hear about Swede. Thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys.



  30. Chris schaake on March 3, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    Swede leaves behind quite a legacy, with plenty of stories to savor and remember among his many friends. What a pleasure it was to know him. Somewhere, “Fight the Power” is playing loudly and Swede is smiling.



  31. Perk on March 4, 2016 at 6:56 am

    Swede – great person – nice guy – Many, Many fond memories of spending time with The Swede – Best left fielder to ever play for the Harbor Lites….



  32. John and Teresa Prochaska on March 4, 2016 at 11:42 am

    So sorry to hear of your loss. He will be deeply missed. Please know that you are in our thoughts and in our prayers.



  33. Reenie Stogsdill on March 4, 2016 at 3:56 pm

    So sorry for your loss! Swede was always so positive and nice to me. Always loved his smile.



  34. Lucius Turner on March 5, 2016 at 11:40 am

    I’m sorry to hear of Swede’s passing. His personality will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.



  35. Frank and Pam Pucher on March 5, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    Diane and Cole,

    So sorry to hear the sad news of Mike’s passing, we send our deepest condolences to you both and all the members of your family grieving this big loss. We will always cherish the good times tailgating at the Drake football games especially our partying together after the Dayton game! Good times with very special people! With our sympathies!

    Frank and Pam Pucher



  36. Rob Hassig on March 6, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    Swede was always one of the Salina kids that I intruded into in room 19. Whether it was a pizza run breaking up our card games at 2am so Swede could eat 2 while Rick, Ron and I shared 2, or the mice living in Swede’s socks in our tiny closet (I think that they had quite a colony) to me maceing them and eventually us, Swede kept his droll sense of humor and perspective. We were all so different but blended so well. Swede and I conducted the party orders and worked closely with Sam. He was an amazing athlete, an integral part of most of our winning teams. Swede was a brother that will surely be missed, but his wonderful memories and stories survive. Though now we are separated by great distances, we are forever together in the Bond.



  37. Graham Bailey on March 9, 2016 at 9:29 am

    Diane and family, Kathy and I just heard about Swede’s passing and wanted you to have our most sincere condolences and know of our sharing your sorrow. Mike was one of a kind, as nice a man that I know. He was always genuinely pleased to see us and had a smile at the ready. I enjoyed my many opportunities to golf with Mike, and occasionally talk about the days’ events over a beer….or two. I recognized him to be a good husband, father to the boys, and friend to all. He will definitely be missed by we who so enjoyed his smile and stories. We were blessed to know him. Graham and Kathy Bailey



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