The Reverend Canon Harry Bell Douglas

The Reverend Canon Harry Bell Douglas died Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Father Harry, as he was known to most folk, was 92 years old. He was born in Augusta, Georgia February 18, 1925, the only child of Frances and Harry B. Douglas. Father Harry is survived by his wife of 46 years LiAnne Heckman Douglas and three children from his first marriage to Grace Register Albritton; Susan Jones, Fran Doxsee(Tom), and Frank Douglas. He also has three step-sons, Steve Hopping, Jud Hopping(Jackie), and Hank Hopping(Margaret). He has eight grandchildren. He spent his childhood in Jacksonville, FL and his adolescence in Atlantic Beach, FL where he attended and was graduated from Duncan U. Fletcher High School. In 1943 he joined the US Navy and subsequently in 1945 was commissioned an ensign and became a Combat Fighter Director. After his Navy discharge in 1946, he resumed his college education at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN where he became president of the student body and was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa honorary society. He was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948. In 1952 he received his Master of Divinity degree and was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. His ordained ministry began as Deacon in Charge and later as Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Port St. Joe, FL. In 1954 he became the first full time Director of the Camp and Conference Center (Camp Weed), and the Director of Youth for the Diocese of Florida. In 1959 he was the founding priest and first Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Advent, Tallahassee, FL. He served the Advent for nine years until he accepted a call to become the Rector of his childhood parish, Church of the Good Shepherd in Jacksonville. His ministry there was until 1970 when he became the first director of the State of Florida Commission on Human Relations. He returned to the parochial ministry in 1978 to become the Associate Rector of All Saints Church, Ft. Lauderdale. Two years later he was made Rector where he served until his retirement in 1988. Subsequent to his retirement, Father Harry served Episcopal Congregations in Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Madison, Monticello, Perry, Quincy and Tallahassee, and also churches in Bainbridge and Thomasville, GA. The family will receive visitors in the Carter Chapel at St. John’s Episcopal Church from 5-7pm on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, with vigil prayers will be said at 6:00pm. The funeral service will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at St. John’s Episcopal Church followed by a reception in Alfriend Hall. There will be a private graveside inurnment at Roselawn Cemetery on Friday, September 29th. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL, 32308, The University of the South, 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, TN 37383 or Camp Weed, 11057 Camp Weed Pl., Live Oak, FL 32060. Rocky Bevis of Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee (850/385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Douglas family with their arrangements.

Tributes

The Reverend Canon Harry Bell Douglas

February 18, 1925 - September 19, 2017