Douglas Charles King

Douglas Charles King, known to many as Doug, passed away on November 4, 2026, at home in Muskegon, Michigan. He was born on November 17, 1956, in Lansing, Michigan.

Doug attended Eastern High School in Lansing. Over the years, he worked in a garden center, landscaping, and irrigation, along with many other jobs, and was truly known as a jack-of-all-trades. His last job was at South Town Oil Change on Beacon Boulevard in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Doug was remembered as a cool, funny, laid-back hippie who lived life his own way. He was often seen in a hat or bandana, liked being silly when people took photographs of him,. He enjoyed simple pleasures and the outdoors, including walks in parks and woods, long drives, and time by the water, especially Lake Michigan.

Fishing was one of the great joys of Doug's life. He loved fishing in many forms, including ice fishing and fishing from the pier, and salmon was his favorite fish to catch. He would leave before daylight to fish from the pier, bringing a large net and lures he charged with his wife's camera flash so they would glow in the dark. He enjoyed talking with the other fishermen there, and he also passed along that love of fishing by teaching his daughter how to fish. One special memory was a fishing trip to Canada with his father. He also enjoyed hunting when he was able.

Doug loved relaxing with the things that made him feel at home. He enjoyed watching football, NASCAR, and car-related television shows. He loved old Westerns, especially John Wayne films and The Lone Ranger Music was another lasting part of his life. He loved rock and roll, especially older music from the 1970s, and also liked ICP. When they were younger, he and his wife attended many concerts together. He also loved cookouts, which brought together many of the things he enjoyed most: food, family, friends, and time spent together.

A lasting love story was at the center of Doug's life. He and Sylvia had been together since 1970, when he was 14 and she was 15. They met through Sylvia's cousins because her aunt and uncle were close friends with his parents, during a trip up north to Tittabawassee, Michigan. They were married in Lansing, Michigan, on September 27, 1975, and celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in 2026.

Doug is survived by his wife, Sylvia King; his children, Amy Batten and Alana King; and his son-in-law, Jeffrey Van Amberg. He is also survived by his sister, Victoria Doxtader, and by his grandchildren, Javier Reyes, Heaven Springfield, Destiny Powers, and River Van Amberg. His great grandson, Ambrose Brower; his many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, and his friends who were dear to him, including, Mario and Stacey Moreno, Kelly and Roger Cook. Doug shared a particularly close bond with Mario Moreno, his best friend of about 20 years.

Doug and Mario spent many hours together watching football and NASCAR, and Mario and his wife were considered family, celebrating holidays together. Those friendships were an important part of Doug's life and brought him much happiness over the years.