Douglas Head's Obituary
Douglas Head, former longtime resident of Lakewood, recently of Ocean Park, died Oct. 13 after complications from pneumonia. He was 72. Doug was a talented and highly skilled automotive mechanic. He spent most of his career at the Gilchrist car dealership in Tacoma, where he worked for many years until his retirement in 2014. Doug was a well-liked and loyal employee.
Doug was born to Morris Head and Martha Halverson Head in the Philippine Islands Aug. 16, 1951, and, with his family, spent his early years at various Army bases, including three years in England, where he started English school standing out as the kid wearing American blue jeans. His family settled in the Lake City neighborhood in 1957, and Doug graduated from Lakes High School in 1969.
In retirement, Doug moved to Ocean Park on the Long Beach Peninsula. He enjoyed many adventures, walking miles daily on the Pacific beach with his dogs, kayaking the rivers and shores of Pacific County, collecting antiques, and maintaining a large supply of firewood that he split and stored in a woodshed he designed and built. Doug turned driftwood into furniture for gatherings around his big outdoor fire pit. He grew wildflowers and sweet peas in window boxes, positioned to carry fragrance with ocean breezes into his house. His family will miss his famous Christmas clam chowder made with local razor clams. Most of all, his family will miss Doug’s unique and adventurous spirit, his intelligence, his love of animals and nature, and his sweet and strong personality.
Doug leaves behind children Emily Halverson of Puyallup, Tim Moisio of DuPont, Talia Reed of Lakewood; grandsons Miles Head and Ryder Wood; three siblings, Morrene Nesvig of Tacoma, Pamela Head of Bellingham and Nick Halverson of North Bend; and companion Deanne Gilmur of University Place. His son Gregrey Head preceded him in death.
A private memorial service is planned.
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