Douglas Hull

Douglas Hull was a man of strong character, a dependable father, doting grandfather and loyal friend. He was a proud, hardworking man, who cared for everyone he knew, and expressed this care through his generosity and willingness to always lend a helping hand. Doug found happiness in many things, but nothing delighted him as much as spending time with his family and grandkids.

1938 was a year of events and accomplishments in the United States. President Roosevelt signed the Fair Standards Act, which increased the minimum wage to 25 cents per hour. The country delighted in the release of the film version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and trembled in fear while listening to Orson Welles’ broadcast his infamous War of the Worlds on the radio. In the bustling city of Lansing, Michigan, Lewie and Mildred (Graham) Hull were celebrating a special event of their own with the birth of their son, Douglas, on February 22, 1938.

Doug was one of five children and grew up in the company of his two sisters, Mary and Arlene, and two brothers, Richard and William. His parents both worked to support their family – his father was an accountant for RE Olds, and his mother worked as a secretary. Doug was a real rascal growing up, getting into more than his fair share of mischief. He liked to pull pranks on his friends, make up naughty rhymes, and on several occasions had to smooth talk his way out of some kind of trouble. As a young boy, Doug wanted to grow up to be a cowboy, and run away with his good friend, Doug Warren, out west. In fact, they did just that – they hopped a train, which they thought was heading west, but instead ended up going east to Ovid, Michigan. His father was eventually called to go get them. To try to keep Doug out of trouble, his parents sent him to live with Alfred and Opal Barnes at the age of 13, to work on their farm. Doug loved the time outdoors, and soon learning to hunt and fish.

Doug went to school in St. Johns, Michigan and graduated with the class of 1956 from Rodney B. Wilson High School. While in school, Doug was good friends with Bud Shinn, and it was through him that he met his sister, Betty. A couple of years after graduating, Doug and Betty began dating, and enjoyed a night out together, dancing (Doug was a great polka dancer) or taking in a movie at the drive-in. One of the local police officers knew Doug from all the trouble he had been in and he “strongly” suggested that he enlist in the military. Doug took his advice and proudly served in the U.S. Navy. By this time, he and Betty had been dating for about a year and were soon happily married in the First Methodist Church in St. Johns. It wasn’t long before Doug and Betty welcomed four wonderful children into their lives; Brenda, Lisa, Lewie and Candy brought them so much pride and joy.

Although he loved to have fun, Doug was a hard worker all of his life. He was a carpenter by trade and worked on various construction sites all over the U.S. and Canada, and even helped build the high school in St. Johns. Doug made sure to instill in his children the value of a strong work ethic, and that they must work as hard as they play. Outside of work, he and Betty enjoyed playing cards with friends and socializing at a local bar, and they often took the kids to a drag race. Doug liked motorcycles, so to see them at a race was a great thrill.

Having a strong family was always important to Doug. Although he and Betty divorced in 1980, they remained best of friends. Because he felt he had missed his own children growing up, Doug poured all his love and attention into being a grandfather to his 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, all of whom he adored. Still a joker, Doug told his grandson he could wear the same pair of socks for 2 days just by turning them inside out. There were always giggles and laughter in the air when Grandpa Doug was around.

Doug suffered with diabetes most of his adult life, as well as some other illnesses, which eventually wore his body down. Doug died peacefully on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at the age of 72. He will be greatly missed.

Doug is survived by his former wife and best friend, Betty Hull; his children, Brenda (Cliff Jones) Hull of Grand Ledge, Lisa Hull, Lewie (Michele) Hull and Candy (Mycheal) Lugibihl, all of St. Johns; eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren; sisters, Mary and Arlene Hull; two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Richard and William Hull.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 22, at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass Street, St. Johns, MI, with Pastor Cayle Beagle officiating, burial to follow at Duplain Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 21. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Doug to the American Diabetes Association or the Clinton Co. Veterans Memorial.