Jerry Douglas
(February 19, 1950 – December 13, 2025)

Jerry Eugene Douglas, a lifelong resident of East Prairie, Missouri, died on December 13, 2025 at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry was born on February 19, 1950, in Cairo, IL to the late Verlon Douglas and LaWanda Douglas. He was raised in East Prairie, Missouri, and attended East Prairie High School. He was an avid hunter and fisherman from an early age, and hunted ducks and caught fish in the sloughs and fields of Mississippi County.

In 1969, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served aboard the U.S.S. Hancock (CVA-19), and served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War.

He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy and returned to East Prairie, MO, where on April 19, 1974, he married the love of his life, Judy Douglas. He happily brought in her five children as his own, and he and Judy had two more children to round out a large, loving family. Jerry settled into a career as a riverboat pilot, working at first for Wisconsin Barge Lines, Economy Boat Store, and eventually became a Port Captain for American Commercial Barge Lines in Cairo, IL. He was at home on the water, and knew the river like the back of his hand.

He may have been a tough riverboat captain, but at home he was a 'softie' who as rarely liked to tell his family 'no.' He loved the outdoors, and continued to hunt and fish throughout his life. He loved to collect and shoot guns, and his knowledge of guns was encyclopedic. His sense of
humor was legendary, and he was always a pleasure to be around. He loved classic Rock music, with Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin amongst his favorites. He also loved classic Country, with Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell and George Strait being some of his
favorites.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Judy Douglas, and by his father Verlon Douglas, and his
mother LaWanda Hockersmith Douglas. He is survived by his brother, Jimmy Douglas, of Benton, KY.

His life is celebrated by his children, Karla (Dart) Davis, Willy (Debbie) Wood, Kristi (Scott) Peters, Buck Wood, Melita (Mario) Gelang, Patrick (Melissa) Douglas, and Shannon (Ellis) Sapp. He leaves behind fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.,Thursday December 18, 2025, at McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston, Missouri. Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m., immediately after the visitation, followed by an internment at Memorial Park Cemetery in East Prairie, Missouri.

McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston, Missouri is in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Jase Archie, Jason Archie, Austin Peters, Scott Peters, Willy Wood and
Kenton Douglas.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Ellis Sapp, Jimmy Douglas, Dart Davis, Ryan Davis, Blake Davis,
Danny Hansen, Tyler Hansen, Mikael Wood, Rory Wood, Jordan Wood, Derrick Wood, Sean
McArdle, and Daegan Archie.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com

Memorials may be made in his name to the Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial
Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. (573) 290-5870 .