Ozias, Douglas Kent

Douglas Kent Ozias passed away suddenly on Oct. 28, 2013.

He was born to Jesse Rayworth (JR) and Esther Blessing Ozias on Aug. 27, 1938, in Cedar Rapids and graduated in 1956 from Marion High.

Doug completed a BA and an MA in education from State College of Iowa in Cedar Falls, where he also ran a late-night coffee house. He taught middle school science in Davenport which prepared him for many later challenges. His careers with visually-impaired youth started at the Iowa School for the Blind, where he, as counselor, met and married the school nurse, Janice Wilson, 45 years ago. After spending the summer of 1969 on a coast-to-coast road trip in the U.S. and Canada, they landed in Austin, Texas, where Doug obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in special education, focusing on the blind and visually impaired with the renowned Natalie Barraga. His contributions to improved policies and service delivery were evident in his work at UT, the Texas Governor's Coordinating Office for the Visually Handicapped, the Texas Department of Health, and Texas School Health Association.

He was a 50+ year member of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa (Marion Lodge No. 6) and the Order of the Eastern Star. He was active in son Orin's scouting through his completion of Eagle Scout rank. In every endeavor, he earned the respect of his true peers and did not mind “bucking the system.”

Doug was an accomplished athlete and sportsman. He pursued diverse hobbies - rock hunting and lapidary art, boating and fishing; engraving guns and shooting; ice and road auto racing; and taking amazing road trips. His famed Easter hunts for kids of all ages make lasting memories. His last weekend was spent with friends and family at the Vintage Racing nationals - sharing stories of cars he'd raced, crashed, rebuilt and enjoyed.

He was a true gentleman with style and compassion. His well-honed humor peeked through even the most serious conversations.

Left to help each other with his sudden passing are his mother, Esther Rocarek. Austin; stepmother, Dorothae Ozias. Marble Falls, Texas; wife, Janice; son, Orin; and granddaughter, Jocelyn Claire Ozias, all of Austin; and cousins. Gary, Koleen, Sue and Marilyn.

Douglas preferred impromptu gatherings to anything formal. There will be a private celebration of his life. Any who wish to honor his memory may donate in his name to their favorite charities.

The family welcomes your notes and stories on the Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills website at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com.

Published Nov. 1, 2013 in The Gazette