Doug's Memorial Fund
Donation protected
Doug McKeddie passed away on October 7, 2017 unexpectedly after choking while eating. He was alone at his furniture store in Mesa, but through incredible strength managed to walk to a tire shop across the way to get help. As soon as he saw people, he collapsed. By the time the paramedics arrived, Doug was not breathing and had no heartbeat. After life-saving efforts, Doug's heart began beating again, but it ultimately became clear that he suffered severe and irreparable brain damage from the ordeal.
Consistent with his clearly expressed wishes, his family made the heartbreaking decision to stop life support after four days of hoping for a miracle. Doug passed away peacefully shortly thereafter.
Doug never anticipated something like this would happen, especially after surviving several serious medical issues. He had quintuple bypass surgery in late 2016, and he was diagnosed with leukemia in early 2017. Doug fought hard to survive and never let anything take away from his inspiring positive attitude. He was in remission from the leukemia at the time of his passing, but was still undergoing chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. If you met him, you would have never known anything was wrong. He was always upbeat, and stayed so strong for the benefit of his family.
The heart surgery and the chemotherapy resulted in financial ruin. Doug was always self-employed, so when he had to spend weeks in the hospital on two separate occasions during the past year, he lost everything. He was working very hard on recovery when this horrible accident happened. His family was depending on him for survival and he was very aware of that fact.
Doug was the sole breadwinner for his wife, Ana, and their twelve-year-old son, Dougie. He had high hopes and big dreams for the future with his wonderful family. He had just opened a furniture store and was in the process of filling the store with merchandise. Before getting his store off the ground though, Doug's life was suddenly taken from him.
At the time of his passing, Doug was trying to get his life back on track. He never had the chance to make arrangements for things like funeral services. His family is completely overwhelmed simply trying to have a funeral for Doug.
The last thing his family wants to do is ask for help, but the family has no choice. We have discovered that the most basic funeral costs at least $8,000. Doug's adult children are giving everything they have. Unfortunately, none have the ability to pay for the funeral, let alone ensure Doug's wife and young son have anything to go on with.
Doug was an absolutely wonderful father and devoted husband. He went so far out of his way to help others. It was not uncommon for Doug to give jobs to the homeless or even provide housing, regardless of whether he could afford it.
He married the first love of his life when he was 20, and at that young age he felt it necessary to take in her three siblings because they were living in utter poverty. When his wife passed away from cancer, Doug became a single father with all the care and love anyone could ever hope for.
Doug married the second love of his life in 2003, and he embraced his wife's three children as if they were his own. When their son was born in 2005, Doug was elated. He was the most supportive dad a boy could hope for.
Doug's generosity knew no bounds. Over the years, he has opened his home to too many family members and friends to count. Children, grandchildren, in-laws, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends – nobody would ever be turned away, and Doug made everyone feel welcome.
If there is anything you can do, every little bit helps and will be most appreciated. We just want our Dad to have a funeral. We are not trying to do anything fancy or above that which is absolutely necessary for a basic funeral service.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for sharing this with your friends.
Consistent with his clearly expressed wishes, his family made the heartbreaking decision to stop life support after four days of hoping for a miracle. Doug passed away peacefully shortly thereafter.
Doug never anticipated something like this would happen, especially after surviving several serious medical issues. He had quintuple bypass surgery in late 2016, and he was diagnosed with leukemia in early 2017. Doug fought hard to survive and never let anything take away from his inspiring positive attitude. He was in remission from the leukemia at the time of his passing, but was still undergoing chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. If you met him, you would have never known anything was wrong. He was always upbeat, and stayed so strong for the benefit of his family.
The heart surgery and the chemotherapy resulted in financial ruin. Doug was always self-employed, so when he had to spend weeks in the hospital on two separate occasions during the past year, he lost everything. He was working very hard on recovery when this horrible accident happened. His family was depending on him for survival and he was very aware of that fact.
Doug was the sole breadwinner for his wife, Ana, and their twelve-year-old son, Dougie. He had high hopes and big dreams for the future with his wonderful family. He had just opened a furniture store and was in the process of filling the store with merchandise. Before getting his store off the ground though, Doug's life was suddenly taken from him.
At the time of his passing, Doug was trying to get his life back on track. He never had the chance to make arrangements for things like funeral services. His family is completely overwhelmed simply trying to have a funeral for Doug.
The last thing his family wants to do is ask for help, but the family has no choice. We have discovered that the most basic funeral costs at least $8,000. Doug's adult children are giving everything they have. Unfortunately, none have the ability to pay for the funeral, let alone ensure Doug's wife and young son have anything to go on with.
Doug was an absolutely wonderful father and devoted husband. He went so far out of his way to help others. It was not uncommon for Doug to give jobs to the homeless or even provide housing, regardless of whether he could afford it.
He married the first love of his life when he was 20, and at that young age he felt it necessary to take in her three siblings because they were living in utter poverty. When his wife passed away from cancer, Doug became a single father with all the care and love anyone could ever hope for.
Doug married the second love of his life in 2003, and he embraced his wife's three children as if they were his own. When their son was born in 2005, Doug was elated. He was the most supportive dad a boy could hope for.
Doug's generosity knew no bounds. Over the years, he has opened his home to too many family members and friends to count. Children, grandchildren, in-laws, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends – nobody would ever be turned away, and Doug made everyone feel welcome.
If there is anything you can do, every little bit helps and will be most appreciated. We just want our Dad to have a funeral. We are not trying to do anything fancy or above that which is absolutely necessary for a basic funeral service.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for sharing this with your friends.
Organizer
Justin Cooley
Organizer
Scottsdale, AZ
