Douglas R. Wilson of Milwaukie, Oregon passed away after a brief illness on September 14, 2016 surrounded by his loving family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 4:00 PM at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Milwaukie.

Doug was born on June 1, 1945 in Vancouver, Washington to the late Ralph Wilson and the late Barbara Gist. Doug’s father, Ralph, was killed in action in Yugoslavia during World War II three months before Doug was born. His mother, Barbara, later married Elmar Gist of the Fort Worth, Texas area when Doug was five years old. Doug always considered Elmar his father from whom he learned the love, grace and kindness with which he lived his own life. He and Joan (Williams) married in Dallas, Texas in August 1976. In 1980, they moved to the Portland, OR area where he started Branch Distributing, Inc. which he and Joan successfully ran for 35 years. Doug was a proud veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was active in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Milwaukie, OR and was loved and respected by all in the many areas in which he served.

His life will forever be cherished in the lives of his wife, Joan Williams Wilson; sons, Noah Wilson (Nicole) of Sandy, OR and Caleb Wilson (Carrie) of Milwaukie, OR; his adoring granddaughter, Emilia Wilson; brother, Tom Gist (the late Karen Gist), sister, Barbara Wallis (Jim Wallis); and his many nieces and nephews, as well as his extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Diabetes Association of Portland.