Gale William Douglas

Gale William Douglas was born April 3, 1941, to Jay and Neva (née Rick) Douglas in Reedsburg, WI. He died June 11, 2024, with his family by his side. Gale graduated in 1959 from Webb High School in Reedsburg, where he excelled in all sports, particularly football, basketball and baseball.

After graduating high school, he attended Iowa State University on a football scholarship and subsequently transferred to South Dakota State University, where he graduated with a degree in secondary education majoring in physical education. He joined the Army National Guard of Wisconsin while still in college and honorably served during the Vietnam War era.

He moved to Oconomowoc, WI, in 1965, and spent his entire career with the Oconomowoc Area School District teaching physical education at the junior high and senior high levels. For much of his career, Gale was the head varsity wrestling coach and an assistant football coach. Early in his teaching and coaching career, he played semi-professional football for the Madison Mustangs.

Gale received many honors over the course of his life, including inductions into the George Martin Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Oconomowoc High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Webb High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Perhaps his proudest moment was having the Oconomowoc High School field house named in his honor, acknowledging his years of dedicated service to the youth of Oconomowoc.

He received a second chance at life on March 10, 2011, when his brother, Dean Douglas, donated a kidney. The kidney was functioning perfectly at the time of Gale’s death, providing him many years of additional enjoyment with his family and friends.

On July 13, 1968, he married Estelle (née Egan) in Eau Claire, WI. They met while teaching in Oconomowoc and were blessed with two children, Susan Cox and Jim (Katie) Douglas. They have three grandchildren, Austin Cox, and Mae and Amelia Douglas.

Gale is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, sister Verna Fuller, brother Dean (Debbie) Douglas, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Charles, sister-in-law Patricia Douglas and brother-in-law Jay Fuller.

The family would like to thank the Western Lakes EMTs and the staff at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital for their kindness during this difficult time.

There will be a private celebration of life at a later date for family and relatives. In lieu of flowers, please consider becoming an organ donor or making a charitable gift to the UW Foundation with a note to direct as a tribute to the UW Health Kidney Transplant Center in memory of Gale Douglas. Please mail to UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Gifts can also be made online at www.wiscmedicine.org/transplant .