Obituary of Stephen Lane Douglas

Stephen Lane Douglas Sunrise-October 6, 1952 Sunset-May 19, 2016 Stephen L. Douglas, President and Chief Executive Officer of the West Virginia University Alumni Association, peacefully went to heaven on May 19, 2016, after a most courageous battle with cancer. His positive attitude in dealing with his fight against the disease served as an inspiration to WVU Alumni and friends worldwide. Born in Clarksburg, WV, he was the son of the late Charles Hugh Douglas and Lucille Dyer Douglas. He was a 1970 graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School. Steve earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WVU and was a graduate assistant in the sports information office. After graduation, he was named Director of Public Information at Alderson-Broaddus University in Philippi and was later hired as Director of College Relations at West Virginia Wesleyan University in Buckhannon. He returned to his alma mater in 1982 as Associate Director of the WVU Alumni Association until 1988 when he was named President and CEO. He is only the seventh alumni director in an organization that was founded more than 140 years ago. His leadership and vision have resulted in unprecedented growth which includes the building of a new Erickson Alumni Center on the Evansdale Campus. He was scheduled to retire on December 31, 2016. Douglas was committed to furthering the cause of alumni relations on both a state and national level. He served as chairman of the Big East Conference Alumni Professional Organization. He was a founding member and first president of the West Virginia Alumni Directors Association which is comprised of all public and private institutions in West Virginia. He also served as a regional trustee for the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and was a charter member of the Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE). CPASS recognized him as their Outstanding Alumnus and inducted him into their Hall of Fame. Recently he was chosen for the Most Loyal Mountaineer Spirit Award and Most Distinguished West Virginian. He was a life member of the WVU Alumni Association and was a member of Mountain, a WVU honorary. The Student Life Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to him last fall. Douglas was involved in several organizations including being a member of the Salvation Army Board of Advisors, Morgantown Rotary Club, and Sigma Chi Fraternity, serving as Chapter Advisor for 3 years. He was a faithful member of Wesley United Methodist Church, having served on several committees over the years. In 1969, he met his best friend and soul mate, the former Sandra Jean Auvil. They were married on August 7, 1977. He was an outstanding father to their two children, Ashley Tara Douglas and Clark Stephen Douglas. He could not have been prouder of their accomplishments. He is survived by a brother, Don Douglas, Jupiter, FL; mother-in-law, Jewell Auvil, Clarksburg; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws Gary and Ellen Auvil, Lyndon and Lonna Auvil, all of Clarksburg; and Randy and Phyllis Auvil, Alderson; beloved niece and nephew, Logan and Lennon Auvil whom he enjoyed on family vacations. He is also survived by several other nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by a sister, Velma Douglas Brinkley and brother, Ronnie Douglas. Visitation for family and friends will be Sunday, May 22, 2016 at the Erickson Alumni Center, One Alumni Drive, Morgantown, from 1:00 until 7:00 p.m. The Celebration of Steve’s life will take place Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 503 N High Street, Morgantown. The Eulogy will be given by family and friends, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Randall Flanagan, minister at the church. Following the service a private family burial will take place in Clarksburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be made to the Stephen L. Douglas Scholarship Fund for the education of future West Virginia alumni. Make checks payable to the Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund (LPEF) , c/o WVU Alumni Association, Attention: Irene Bowers, P.O. Box 4269, Morgantown, WV 26504. Hastings Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.