Douglas A. McCaughey passed away on February 6, 2012 after a long illness, surrounded by family and friends.  His battle was not lost without a tough fight.

Doug was born March 9, 1931 in Seattle, Washington, the eldest son of Douglas Sr. and Helen (Hoska) McCaughey.  As a child, the family moved often, but Doug's roots were always in the Pacific Northwest, where he spent the last 35 years of his life.

In 1951, Doug joined the United States Marine Corps where he had a distinguished, and beloved, 20-year career.  He enlisted and went through boot camp at MCRD in San Diego, where he was the Honor Grad in his platoon.  After a short stint at Camp Pendleton, he became a Naval Cadet, and in 1953 graduated from flight school in Pensacola as a second lieutenant.  He was then stationed at MCAS El Toro, where he was assigned to the first swept wing jet fighter squadron in the Marine Corps.  In 1960, Doug was chosen to be the Marine member of the Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team with whom he flew air shows for three years from 1960-62.  From mid-1965 through 1970, he had three separate combat tours in Vietnam, totaling 38 months in-country.  During the first two he flew A-6 and F-4 combat missions and spent time on the ground supervising the building of a school.  On the third tour he was Commanding Officer of a helicopter squadron HML 167, flying mostly medevac missions.  Doug received numerous awards and commendations during his career, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, 52 total Air Medals with Gold Star, and a Bronze Star.  He happily racked up 5,000 flying hours, including props, jets, and helicopters.  For all of his achievements and service, Doug remained a humble man, always preferring the light to shine on someone else.

During his career in the Marine Corps, Doug completed his bachelor's degree in Business Economics at Syracuse University in 1968 at the age of 37.  He called his father, back in Seattle, to remind him that he'd promised to give Doug a car when he graduated from college.  After a short silence his father said, "Sorry son, the statute of limitations has run out on that offer."

Doug retired from the military in 1971, moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and started a new career in real estate.  He lived in and around Fredericksburg, Alexandria, and Washington, DC until 1977 when he decided to return home to the Northwest.  He moved to Bellevue, Washington and joined John. L Scott Real Estate, where he enjoyed a successful second career as both an agent and a broker/manager.  He retired for the second time in the early 1990s.

In 1983, Doug met his wife Anne.  They were married in 1992 and spent as much time as possible participating in Doug's favorite pastimes for his later years - traveling and boating.  Doug bought his first boat in 1985.  After suffering ill health, Doug's last trip was in November when he traveled to Pensacola, Florida for the 100th anniversary of naval aviation, the 65th birthday of the Blue Angels, and the opportunity to spend precious time with great, longtime friends.

Doug was a husband, father, Marine, and friend, and will be missed by everyone who knew him.  He is survived by his wife Anne, son Mike, his brother Bill (Jody) and nieces Susan McCaughey Meadows and Sally McCaughey Davey.

The Seattle Times, February 22, 2012