Douglas Allen Splady

Douglas Allen Splady, 85, of Bemidji, formerly of Brainerd, died Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, at Neilson Place in Bemidji.

Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the First Lutheran Church in Bemidji with the Rev. Alan R. Johnson officiating and military honors by the DAV Chapter No. 7 and the American Legion Post No. 14 of Bemidji. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

Honorary pallbearers will be J. D. Schmid, Joseph Schmid, Anna Splady, Jordan Robinson, Jamie Becker-Finn, Jacob Finn, Brad Splady and Aaron Splady.

He was born July 11, 1924, to Douglas and Gullah (Berg) Splady in Minneapolis . He was raised and educated in Minneapolis. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served with the Seabees in many of the battles of the South Pacific Islands. He earned a Purple Heart in Guam and a Bronze Star for his service. Following his discharge, he returned to Minneapolis in 1946. He married Yvonne Larson Aug. 21, 1948, in Cannon Falls, Minn. They made their home in the Midwest, living in many communities as he was transferred several times with the Chrysler Corporation working with many car dealers. In 1970, they moved to Brainerd where he was executive director of Sports Craft, a boat dealer. He then worked with the Minnesota Tourism Board, Minnesota Heartland and promoted tourism in the area, retiring in 1983. He loved hunting, fishing, boating, playing cards and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He had a special love for the many dogs in his life. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Bemidji and a past member of First Lutheran Church in Brainerd. He also was a member of the VFW, the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans, the Masonic Lodge in Brainerd and was a Shriner.

He is survived by his wife of Bemidji; son, Charles Splady of Oakland, Calif., daughters, Mary Splady of Bemidji and Teri (Skip) Finn of Cass Lake; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Messages of condolence may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.

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