Charles Marvin Douglas

Charles Marvin Douglas, age 90, departed this life on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at a Sausley Garden Cottage on the Veteran’s Affairs Franklin R. Sousley campus in Lexington. He was born August 5, 1934, to the late Charles Edward and Eva Marie Frederick Douglas in the white frame house (still standing today) built by his father on Grove Ridge in 1918. Marvin was a retired builder who enjoyed woodworking, spending time in the woods on his property, tinkering in his garage, and helping his daughters with home improvement projects.

After graduating from Middleburg High School in 1952, Marvin started work at Caterpillar Tractor in Peoria, IL. At age 17, it was his first time away from home. Later he worked at International Harvester in Indiana, where the good job provided good pay.

The travel bug soon bit and Marvin joined the United States Navy in 1955. He was a Machinist’s Mate, earning the rank of E-5 while working in the engine room on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Navy offered competency tests frequently, and Marvin always tested high in mechanical skills, qualifying him for the engine room where he was responsible for maintaining the steam turbines that kept the ship operational. He was satisfied with that role because it reminded him of the tinkering he and his dad had done in the shop behind the house on Grove Ridge.

During his four years in the Navy, Marvin’s steel home took him thousands of miles around the world, making ports of call in 15 countries, including Morocco, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Chile and Brazil. He tracked the ports of call on a world map sent to him by his mother from a National Geographic magazine. Each time the ship neared a port, Marvin’s buddies gathered around to look at the map, comparing the distance from the last port.

When his time with the Navy ended, Marvin returned home where his bride-to-be, the former Imo Jane Rodgers, was waiting. They had been introduced to each other by one of Marvin’s neighborhood friends who was a student in Jane’s typing class at Middleburg High School. He and Jane married on August 15, 1959, and he worked for Estil Lucas, a local builder. He said he learned a lot from Lucas (and also from Lester Anderson, his partner for decades) as well as just doing hands-on work. Marvin became a mentor to and partner of Tom Estes as he began his career in building homes.

Marvin built 51 homes from 1960 to 1993, with especially fond memories - because of their size and complexity - of the homes he built for Dr. John Price, Dr. David Liebschutz and Roger Elliott. He had a reputation for building a home precisely, and he was also known for the quality work he did as well as for his honesty.

Even though he had settled down and started a family, the traveling bug never really left Marvin. Every summer he and Jane loaded up their six daughters in the family car and headed off for a week away from home. Many of the trips were educational excursions for the family. Among the places they visited were Cape Canaveral, St. Augustine, St. Louis, Huntsville, Charleston, SC and even to Duluth, MN for a visit with a close buddy from his Navy ship.

After retiring from building in 1989, Marvin took up woodworking as a hobby because he loved wood. He built fine pieces of furniture for his daughters and also smaller items such as shelves, tables, boxes and clocks of assorted sizes that he and Jane took to trade shows. He was a juried member of the Kentucky Crafted Marketing Program and a regular vendor in the Kentucky Crafted Market. His items have found homes as far away as Russia and Germany.

Marvin never had a son to carry on the Douglas name, but he always said he was most happy with the six daughters that God blessed him with.

Marvin was a member of Corinth First Church of God and was a Kentucky Colonel.

Marvin is survived by his six daughters, Debbie Clements, Maleena Streeval, Deena (and Boyd) Randolph, Marvetta (and Craig) Overstreet, Michele (and Sam) Iler, and Delinda (and Bill) Johnson; 14 grandchildren, Billy, Cassy, Derek, Andrea, Doug, Abbie, Meghann, Brett, Andrew, Allison, Emma, Lily, Will, and Julia; and 12 great-grandchildren, Tristan, Briar, Kiera, William, Benjamin, Clay, Hannah, Austin, Blake, Reagan, Arabella, and Arreya.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Jane Douglas; his parents; sisters Beulah, Violet, and Thelma; and great-grandson Ransom. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home with Bro. Steven Willingham officiating. Burial will follow in the Middleburg Cemetery with military honors by the Casey County Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 5-8PM Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Doug Streeval, Brett Randolph, Andrew Randolph, Will Johnson, Tristan Elmore, and Briar Elmore.

Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Casey County Veterans Honor Guard, c/o Danny Clements, 457 Elm Drive, Liberty, Kentucky 42539.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. Online guestbook and video tribute are available at www.mckinneybrown.com.