Dwight Douglas

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Dwight Douglas, 74, Joplin, formerly of Neosho, entered into rest on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a nineteen month illness of pancreatic cancer. 

Dwight was born Sept. 2, 1943 in Joplin, the son of Herbert H. and Thelma (Breshears) Douglas.
He graduated from Neosho High School in 1961 and is a 1965 and 1968 graduate of the University of Missouri. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. 

 

H. Dwight Douglas, J.D. began the practice of law in Neosho in 1968. He was a third generation graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law and a second generation lawyer to practice in his home town of Neosho. He practiced law in private practice in Neosho for 40 years before becoming the first in-house General Counsel of Freeman Health System, Joplin, in 2009. His association with health care and emergency response agencies began in 1988, which included Ozark Center, Sale Memorial Hospital, Redings Mill Fire Protection District, Neosho Area Fire Protection District and Seneca Fire Protection District. He became local counsel for Freeman Health System in November 2000, before going in-house. Dwight served as sole municipal judge (part-time) for the City of Neosho for 33 years. 

 
Dwight was a member of the Neosho First Christian Church and of Christ Community Methodist Church in Joplin. 

 
Dwight is survived by his wife of 51 years, Bonnie, whom he married on Aug. 20, 1966 in Ridgewood, New Jersey. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Steven Dwight Douglas and wife, Denita of Neosho and Rebecca Douglas Keesling and husband, David of Tulsa, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Kevin Douglas, Chelsah Skaggs, Connor Keesling and Carson Keesling; one great granddaughter, Amelia Douglas and one sister, Janice Denney and husband, Cecil of West Linn, Oregon.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 at 1 pm at the Neosho First Christian Church, Pastor Al Gritten will officiate. The family will receive friends at a reception in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Contributions in memory of Dwight may be made to the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.