Tommy Douros

Tommy Douros died in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 19, 2012 at his Lakeside home following a lengthy illness. He was 80 years. Tommy was born on November 30, 1931 at the Douros family home in McNary, Apache County, Arizona to the late John and Louise (Galbadon) Douros. As a young man, Tommy enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served in Korea and Japan. When he received his honorable discharge from the Army in 1954 he was serving as a Master Sergeant. The following year, on June 26, 1955, Tommy married his forever sweetheart, Carmen Marie in Sutter Creek, California. They most recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary and shared a beautiful life together. As a young man, Tommy learned the value of hard work and throughout his life made his living by "the sweat of his brow." He too, taught this same work ethic to his own children and always, together with his wife, tried to teach them to "walk a straight and narrow line." They are grateful for the example he has set for them and truly have tried to live up to his standard. He was an excellent provider for his family through his skilled worked at the lumber mills. Tommy retired after 50 years in the lumber mill industry, beginning in 1949. He worked many years for Southwest and Stone Container in McNary until they closed and then continued working in Eagar at the lumber mill until it, too, closed. He was a responsible plant manager and everyone looked up to him for the man that he was. Tommy did have some favorite hobbies where he could relax and enjoy the quiet beauty of the White Mountains. He had a great love for hunting and fishing, especially when he was able to go with his family including: his wife, son, daughters and brothers! He felt a special peace while he was in the great-out-of-doors and always felt re-juvenated upon his return back to his home. Tommy is survived by his large family: his wife, Carmen Marie Douros of Lakeside, Arizona; 3 children: Christopher (Marta) Douros of Show Low, Arizona; Primi (Bobby) Madrid of Lakeside, Arizona; Deidre "DeDe" (Al Shedd) Douros of Pinetop, Arizona; 7 grandchildren: Eleasa Douros, Geno Douros, Crisanto Douros, Alisia (Mike) Madrid-Freeman, Andrea Madrid, Natasha Douros, Anthony Douros; 3 great-grandchildren: Antonio Douros, Haley de la Rosa, Ashton Douros; 7 siblings: Helen (Larry) Penrod of Phoenix, Arizona, Athena Olmstead of Flagstaff, Donnie (Emma) Douros of Pinetop, Arizona, Kenny (Barbara) Douros of Wagon Wheel, Arizona; Kathy Farnsworth of Phoenix, Arizona; Marianna Douros of Lakeside, Arizona and Ruben Douros of Phoenix, Arizona. Along with his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by 4 siblings: Annette Olmstead, Phil Douros, Neal Douros, Mitro Douros and by a great-grandson, Angel Douros. A special memorial service will begin 12 Noon on Monday, August 27, 2012 at St. Mary of The Angels Catholic Church, 1915 S. Penrod Lane in Pinetop, Arizona. The concluding service with Military Honors will take place 11:00 A.M., Friday, August 31, 2012 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 N. Cave Creek Road (the southwest corner of Cave Creek and Pinnacle Peak Roads) in Phoenix, Arizona. The family is most grateful to Hospice Compassus for the special and loving care that was rendered to Tommy during his final weeks in life. Memorial contributions in his name to the White Mountain Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1975, Lakeside, Arizona 85929 have been suggested by his family.