OBITUARY: Douglas Dougie “Dougie” Strode

Douglas Francis “Dougie” Strode passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 20, at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, after courageously battling melanoma for the past year.

Doug was born on November 9, 1956, in Champaign, Illinois, to Douglas Franklin Strode and Grace Dena (Stein) Strode.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Bertha “Oma” (Bartel) Stein and Anton Stein; his paternal grandparents, Charles and Nellie (“Granny”) Strode; his father, Douglas Strode; his brother, Dennis Strode; his beloved uncle, Danny Strode; his uncle, Ted Sandwell; his special nephew, Byron Young; and his cousin, Debby Young.

Doug is survived by his daughter, Tracy Lee Williamson (Thomas); his grandsons, Hunter and Fisher Williamson; his mother, Grace Strode; his beloved feline companion, Jax; his siblings, Diane (Henry) Carter, Desi (Diann) Strode, and Denise (Steve) Hartsell; his aunt, Mary Sandwell; his uncle, Delas Strode; his aunt, Sammy Strode; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends in Illinois, Florida, and Tennessee.

Doug married Crystal Pagel in 1975 and later married Vicki Pollard. Though their marriage ended, they remained lifelong friends. Along with his step children Jennifer, Brianna, Jared, and Justin.

From the time he was a little boy, Doug loved taking engines apart and putting them back together. As a young man, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he spent much of his life working in the service industry as a Certified Master Mechanic.

In 2015, Doug moved to Tennessee, where he helped care for his parents while continuing to work part-time. He greatly enjoyed working alongside his many friends at the Baymont Hotel in Nashville.

Doug was an avid NASCAR fan throughout his life. His favorite driver was always Dale Earnhardt Sr., and in recent years he closely followed Chase Elliott. He also had a deep love for music, especially Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Jr., and his all-time favorite, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Through his work as a mechanic, he had the opportunity to befriend members of the band while working on their buses and vehicles over the years.

Doug was a simple man who carried faith, kindness, and love in his heart. He will be remembered for his dedication to family, his mechanical talents, his loyalty to friends, and the quiet strength with which he lived his life.

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

– Revelation 2:10

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This obituary was published by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet.

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