Posted: Mon 1:41 PM, Feb 11, 2013
June 12, 1933 - January 19, 2013
Chief Petty Officer, Douglas Lee "Doug" Fifer, USN RET, 79, of Hayden, Idaho passed away peacefully at his home January 19, 2013. Graveside services with military honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, in March of 2013.
He was born on June 12, 1933 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Daniel Lee and Annabel Littleton Fifer. Doug served in the U.S. Navy for twenty-two years retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He directed rescue missions in Korea and Vietnam and participated in the rescue of fourteen pilots. After retiring from the Navy, Doug worked as a Data Analyst for fifteen years at Litton Industries in Van Nuys, California. Doug's life goal after retirement was to move north to Idaho, which he did in 1990. He was a certified flight instructor and a volunteer pilot in Idaho for various government agencies including the Idaho Fish and Game and the FBI. His greatest flying achievement was as a pilot for Angel Flight, a nonprofit organization that provides free air transportation for any charitable, medically related need for individuals and health care organizations. Doug was also a lifelong bowler. At the age of 70 he placed 19th at the 2004 ABC National Tournament, including all age groups. But his passion and pride was in his family.
Survivors include his daughter, Danielle L. Fifer of Bryan/College Station, Texas; his son, Douglas Lee Fifer II and wife Jennifer, and their children, Audree and Connor Fifer, all of Saginaw, Texas.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Rudy Briner of Bryan/College Station, Texas, St. Joseph Rehab Center of Bryan, Texas, Comfort Keepers and Crest Home Health & Hospice of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
With heartfelt gratitude, Danielle & Douglas II, express their deepest appreciation to Mark Kostuch and Barbara Sturdy of Hayden, Idaho, for their remarkable and incalculable dedication to their father.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to Aggieland Humane Society at P.O. Box 392, Bryan, TX, 77806 or to the Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675.
