Douglas James Lawrie, of Vass, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on December 27th, 2025, with his family present.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Bethesda Presbyterian Church with Rev. David Priddy officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church from 1:30 to 2:30.
He was born on June 15, 1939, in Elizabeth, New Jersey to James and Alice Lawrie. The family later moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Douglas survived multiple health scares as a youth, including a ruptured appendix at the age of 5, and surviving in an iron lung for 39 days after being diagnosed with Bulbar polio at age 12. Things of this nature caused his family to believe that he had at least nine lives.
Douglas went to Rutgers University, where he joined the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and graduated with a degree in political science in 1961. After graduating, he took a standardized test for Picatinny Arsenal with the US Government. Douglas aced the test and this started his career in computer programming. He worked at Martin Marietta in Denver, Colorado, Hoffmann La Roche Pharmaceuticals in Nutley, NJ and National Gypsum in Charlotte, NC. He then went on to assist with designing the inspection approval system for Mecklenburg County and the emergency response systems for Wake County. After retiring he worked with his wife, Mary, in real estate. Although Douglas mainly helped with contracts and paperwork, he managed to sell the most expensive house in Woodlake at the time.
Douglas, a devout Presbyterian, was actively involved in multiple churches during his lifetime. He filled many positions, including: Deacon, Elder, and Clerk of Session, to mention a few. Douglas was a member of Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, N.C., at the time of his passing.
He was also very involved with the Head Start program both locally and regionally. He served in Vass for 20 years and led the local golf tournament fundraisers.
He loved sports throughout his life. He played tennis and started downhill skiing at the age of 40. He was never happier than when he was chasing the little white ball around the golf course. Once he retired, his time on the golf course increased considerably. Although he was an average golfer, Douglas made four hole-in-ones. Douglas volunteered for the Men’s and Women’s US Opens, the US Kids Tournaments and many others.
Douglas was also a History Enthusiast. His home office overflowed with history books, many signed by the authors he met. Douglas traveled to almost all the main Civil War Battlefields, only missing Vicksburg due to his failing health. He worked with the American Battlefield Trust for over 25 years to preserve our battlefields for future generations to visit.
Doug leaves behind Mary, his wonderful wife of 63 years. Douglas is also survived by his four children, Heather (Richard), Holly (Buster), Hope (John) and Douglas (Tiffany), his 10 grandchildren, James, Kathryn, Connor, Jordon, Megan, Cailey, Bryce, Harper, Alice and Ryan, and his 4 great grandchildren, Lucas, Scarlett, James and Ethan. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Bruce.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the Bethesda Presbyterian Church Historical Museum Fund.
The family has entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory of Vass.
