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Matthew C. Douglass
2019-05-09
Matthew Christopher Douglass, 30, of Yulee passed away at his home Tuesday, May 7, 2019.
Matt was born in Jacksonville and was a son of John Wesley and Donna Hendry Douglass. He was a lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County. A 2006 graduate of Fernandina Beach High School, he also graduated from the Lake City Community College Police Academy.
He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Troup 89 where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a member of Five Points Baptist Church.
Matt was a Detective for the Fernandina Beach Police Department where he served with honor and distinction. He began his service with the Department in May of 2014 and eventually rose to the rank of Detective. His work there includes serving as a member of the Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force. In July of 2015 Matt rescued an injured person who fell off a boat. In doing so he put himself in harm�s way having to go between a boat tossed about by rough water and a concrete dock to bring her to safety.
Matt was most happy serving his community with his fellow officers including his partners, Josh Paetch and Josh Simmons.
He was predeceased by his grandparents, Frank and Pauline Sapp and Bob and Judy Douglass.
He leaves behind his parents Wes and Donna Douglass of Fernandina Beach; his siblings, John Wesley �Shane� Douglass, III of Fernandina Beach and Dax (Amber) Williams of Guyton, GA; his nieces, Hailey Williams and Hannah Williams; his nephews, Marshall Williams and Timothy Douglass as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends
The family will receive friends Friday, May 10, 2019 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors from 5:00 until 7:00 PM. They will also receive friends for the hour prior to the service.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 3:30 PM in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors with Steve Dees, his youth pastor, officiating.
He will be laid to rest with Police Honors at Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers will be Trey Rimes, Gage Waters, Weston Gill, Justin Prince, Sean Douglas, Thomas Kelley, Brandon Taylor, Herbert Babin and Josh Simmons. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Fernandina Beach Police Department.
The family asks that Matt be remembered with contributions to the Signal 35 Fund, in care of the Fernandina Beach Police Department.
Memories
UNE SHEPPARD May 9, 2019
Donna and Wes I am so very sorry for your loss. my thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
JOSH PAETSCH May 9, 2019
I still can�t believe you�re gone. I know you had so much left to do here. I�m so thankful that I got to know you and work with you, but most of all, I�m thankful we became friends. I�ll see you when my time comes. Until then, I�ll miss you. I love you brother.
CHERYL CUMMINS May 9, 2019
Donna, Wes and family. I am so very sad to hear the news that Matt has passed away. I can�t imagine the pain and sorrow that you must be going through. We don�t understand why some are taken so young but I hope you can find a little comfort in knowing that God must have a plan for the very best ones. Thank you for your service to our community, Matt. Rest in Peace now.
JACK BOOTH May 9, 2019
Wes and Donna, I am so sorry for your loss. No words can make the pain go away. My heart breaks for you..
AMANDA (COKER) BLOCKER May 9, 2019
I am so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful soul. Matt was a great friend to me while we were in ROTC during highschool. I would like to contribute to the fund but do not see a link on how to do so.
DAWN May 9, 2019
To Matt�s family, you raised a great human, someone that is going to be truly missed. I�m assuming that the man upstairs needed him more then we on this earth did. Thank you Matt for being my friend and always leaving a smile on my face when you walked away. His family has an angel to take care of them now. RIP sweetie!
DEBBIE HENDRY PORTERFIELD May 9, 2019
Aunt Donna , I am so very sorry to hear about Matt. Please know that you are in my prayers, heart and thoughts . Love you .
JOHANNA GAYDOS May 9, 2019
I am so sorry for your loss. Matt was a great friend and kind always.
WALTER PAETSCH May 9, 2019
Wes and Donnie Iam so sorry to hear of the loss of Matt he was superior man and a community leader serving us with joy everyday my heart aches as yours my prayers go out to your entire family..God his his arms around you all and take comfort in the strength of his love to help you in the days ahead for the Heavens have a true Angel of a man.
CARL AND BARBARA May 10, 2019
Dearest Wes, Donna, and Family We do not have the words to express how it is to lose a son. Know that we are heartbroken that Matt left us so early in life. We are very proud of the man he became in his short years. I�m sure his love for you guys and willingness to serve his community will keep him alive in our hearts for many years to come with positive thoughts of his love for us.
SANDY, SHANE AND RYAN May 10, 2019
Wes and Donna, our hearts are broken for you. Matt was a wonderful young man, Our loss is heavens gain. Praying continuous for you
JIM TIPPINS May 10, 2019
Donna and Wes, My thoughts and prayers for you in your tragic loss. I hope that you can feel the love and care that surrounds you an your family in this difficult and unimaginable time.
Chaplain Jim Tippins, BMCN
MARY ADELLE DOUGLASS CLARK May 10, 2019
This is just so heart breaking. What a wonderful young man. May his legacy inspire us all. Sending love and strength to hold you up during this challenging time. Too many family funerals lately.
JOHNNY & AMBER NELMS May 10, 2019
We are devastated and heartbroken at this news, I know Matt made you so proud! I can�t imagine the pain within your hearts. Praying for you and the family. We pray that God gives you the strength from his hand and comfort of his heart that only he can give. We love you!
JIM AND PAM LEE May 10, 2019
Dear Wes and Donna, We will miss Matt and his beautiful smile. He was an outstanding man with a wonderful sense humor. We will be praying for Gods comfort to be with you. We love you.
JAMES HIGHSMITH May 10, 2019
Wes and Donna our prayers are with you and your family May God give you his comfort and peace during this time
BRUCE AND SHARON GREGORY May 10, 2019
Wes and Donna our thoughts are with you as we recall past times your son spent with our family. His kindness and lengthy friendship with my daughter and her husband will always be cherished.
SHELIA ROPER FIELDS May 11, 2019
Wes , Donna and Your Family
I don�t know what to say except that I love you. I can�t understand exactly how you feel, but God does and will keep raising you up.
I hope that My humble prayers will help a little in your Families time of need.
I know I Love You with a Childhood Friendship Bond Wes!
My Heart has broken for Both Donna & You.
�May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness, comfort your hearts and make you firm.�?�2 Thess. 2:16, 17.
I hope Later this may bring some comfort�
RANDALL, AMANDA, AND MADISON JONES May 11, 2019
You have raised a kind hearted and amazing son. Randall �Randy�, Madison, and myself were so blessed to have Matt apart of our lives. He was always there for us and with him gone leaves a big empty spot in our hearts. Matt was Randall�s best friend in the whole world, but they were more like brothers. We are so very sorry for your loss and we will pray for you in this difficult time. Matt was such an amazing man and had the biggest heart. He has touched so many peoples lives including ours. He is gone far too soon. Prayers to your family.
JOHN & SUSAN HERLONG May 11, 2019
Wes, & Donna, We can�t even imagine your loss as well as a feeling of emptiness with the loss of Matthew. Just know he is in the care of Jesus and will have a new residency in heaven where some day we will meet up together. What a joyious time that will be!
Our condolences you-all, your family, relatives, and close friends of Matthew.
TIM OMLOR May 11, 2019
Wes, Donna, and The Douglass family. I am so sorry for your loss. I can�t even begin to imagine what you all are going through. I had the privilege of knowing Matt from high school and graduated with him in 2006. He was always kind to me when I didn�t have many friends back then.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and the Fernandina Beach Police Department. God is with and watching over all of you.
PAM TYLER May 17, 2019
Wes and Donna, my heart grieves for you. Please know I am praying for you through these times of sorrow and loss.