Douglas Lee Alsup

Sister Lakes – Douglas Lee Alsup, 52, of Sister Lakes, passed away late Sunday, October 27th at his home. Born January 22, 1961, he was the first child of Frank and Peggy (Banks) Alsup. Douglas was joined by a brother, Jeffrey in 1962 and a sister, Kristi, in 1964. That was also the year the family moved to California making their home near Los Angeles. As he grew up, Douglas made many friends, disliked school, loved skate boards, go-karts and riding dirt bikes. When he was in his late teens the family returned to Michigan and even after all these years he has continued to maintain friendships he made in California. Douglas soon left behind childish conveyances and took up a lifelong affair with cars and Harleys. Due to his mechanical skills, he was able to help build then drove both a race car and a drag car. Much of his career he was employed as an auto mechanic, but a few years ago he got involved in the family painting business where he proved to be invaluable. Even though we loved him unconditionally, Douglas did not live a charmed, easy life. He had some very difficult times. Recently, he found a new love like he had never experienced before – his grandson, Hunter, whose favorite person in the whole world was his “Papa.” Always helpful, he couldn’t drive past a car with a mechanical problem or a flat tire without stopping to assist. He liked a good joke, had a quick wit and a wicked sense of humor and loved to laugh. A simple man, our Douglas was happiest when his family was close by, had a roof over his head, a good cheeseburger and a large bowl of ice cream. Funeral services celebrating Douglas’ life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 1st at the Dey-Florin Funeral Home, 2506 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph, Michigan with Rev. David Stout of Riverview Park Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00, Thursday evening, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family. Douglas is survived by his sons, whom he loved beyond belief, Marshall (Elizabeth) Alsup of Sister Lakes and Tucker Alsup presently attending college in Houghton, Michigan; parents Frank and Peggy Alsup of St. Joseph; grandson, Hunter Alsup; siblings Jeffrey Alsup of Paw Paw and Kristi Bradford of St. Joseph; nieces and nephews, Kaelyn (Robert) Goss, Aaron Alsup and Birch Bradford along with Aunt June (Richard) Hahn; Uncle “Bub” Laurence Banks and Uncle “Bob” Robert Banks; and by the love of his life, Arlene Alsup. Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Albert and Ida Alsup and Charles and Minnie Banks; along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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Douglas Lee Alsup

January 22, 1961 - October 27, 2013