Doug was born and raised in Aurora, Ohio before going off to the University of Arizona to study archaeology. His first recollection of Payson was a trip in 1970 with his rock climbing and spelunking buddies, when they rappelled down through the hole in the Tonto Natural Bridge (before there was a grate and yes, they were all skinny dudes). His college career was put on hold when he returned to Ohio and became a merchant marine on the Great Lakes for four years. Two very significant events happened in those four years. First, he met his wife Andrea on a blind date. Second, on one very cold snowy morning while standing on the deck of his ship, a Coast Guard helicopter came out to pick up a sick crew member. Doug looked up and decided that was a more exciting proposition; to be a helicopter crewman. The path through the Coast Guard had too many obstacles, but the Navy made it easy. He got married and spent the next 37 years in the Navy. Twenty years active duty retiring as a Senior Petty Officer (E-8) and 17 years working as a Contract Simulator Instructor, teaching future helicopter crewman. As a crewman, he operated sensors such as sonar, radar and lidar. He was also a Search and Rescue swimmer, Crew Chief, Combat Crewman, door gunner and navigator. He served through the first Gulf War/Desert Storm and is a member of the Americal Legion and Life Member of the VFW.
Upon retirement, he remembered the little town of Payson up in the pines, and he and Andrea took quite a few house hunting trips. They stumbled upon Hunter Creek and found their perfect forever home. A medical emergency in 2019 required a trip to CKFD station 51 where Doug was stabilized prior to transport to Banner ER. Becoming a member of the Fire Board was pretty much a no-brainer and he’s very proud to serve.