Douglas O’Lee Koester of Laurel passed away on Jan. 18, 2022 at TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford. Born in Milford, he was the son of the late Herbert Thesing Koester and Betty Ann Truitt Koester.
Doug worked as a dispatcher for DART and was a member of the Connection Church in Laurel. He enjoyed sight seeing and shopping on his many trips with his wife and family, always adding to his many collections of lighthouses and nautical memorabilia. But most of all he always had a willing ear or helping hand for his many friends. He greatly adored his grandchildren, nephews, and especially his dogs. Doug is survived by his loving wife, Katherine Bird; step daughters, Pamela Shockley and her husband Michael, and Sandra Gray and her husband Dave; sister, Debbie Brittingham and her husband Jim Gregory; grandchildren, Brayden, Alyssa, Brielle, Dylan, and Carson; nephews, Robert Brittingham III, Mitchell Brittingham, Dwayne Koester, Kevin Koester, Mark Koester, and Aaron Koester; and great nieces and nephews, Dylan Brittingham, Lizzie Brittingham, Kaegen Brittingham, and Masen Brittingham.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Owens Koester. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West Street, Laurel, Delaware 19956. Pastor Kyle Holloway will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in Douglas Koester’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.