- Erin Ainsley Wilson
About Me
- In Memory Of Doug Renn
- Douglas Walter Renn (1945-2008) was a loving husband, son, brother, father and grandfather. He lived and loved life to the fullest. There wasn't a person he met he didn't love. He was a great example of the pure love of Christ. This blog is dedicated to his memory. Please feel free to write any fond memories of him in a comment and I will transfer it to a post.
Thank you, Erin Wilson
(Doug's Granddaughter)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
My Grandpa
Many of my most cherished memories of my grandpa occured when he was embarassing me. If he caught me talking to one of my guy friends he would conspicuously hand me a "smooching mint" and say loudly "just in case". He was always trying to set me up with his friends sons and grandsons, and let me just say he was not very discreet about it. Although at the time he irked me to no end, I can't help but laugh at the memories.
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Dear Renn Family:
Here is one of the many memories I have.
My sister Sara got married this February. At the reception Doug was working the room as he always did. Hugging (of course) laughing and enjoying the ward members, family and friends that came to celebrate that special day.
Aboout an hour later my cousins Mindy & Melissa came up to me and asked. "Are we supposed to know that man." When I inquired as to which man they meant, they pointed out Doug. He immediately went up to each one of them after the ring ceremony and hugged them. They just loved how he did that as if he had known them all of his life.
He told my cousin Melissa that he just loved her daughter Ashley because she reminded him of one of his granddaughters.
As both of my cousins are less active at this time it was just another wonderful example of how he touched everyones life.
The life sketch you portrayed today was just beautiful.
My love and prayers are with you all.
Marilee Potter :)
The most fondest memorys i have of doug renn was his laugh his hugs and the comments he said to me... but even if it insulted me i know he was joking around and it would always put a smile on my face and make me laugh. He would ask me "so....any boys in your life that i need to meet?" or "when do u start driving so i can get out of the road?" but my FAVORITE question was "do u want a mint?" but mostly i asked him for a mint. haha. i not think he ever did not have one mint on him. but i know by the end of the day his mints were all gone. but the next day he would have another stash ready to handout... i dont think he never made a trip to the store to just go get those winter green mints. His hugs were the best hugs i have ever gotten in my life. they were tight. they were so tight i think i could feel his heart beat but it was good cause then i knew the hug was full of love. Another memory was EVERY christmas going to his house and getting a picture with santa clause. i am 15 years old and to tell u the truth i think i have 15 pictures with ssanta clause. EVEN THEN HE HAD MINTS. but sadly not the winter green mint they were candy cane mints. ok well i have to go now but all i have to say is that i loved doug renn with all my heart and still do.
<3 emily verna <3
p.s. doug i drive next summer so u better get out of the road (:
There are a small handful of names that, when I think of them, bring an instant smile to my face. Your grandpa Doug is one of them! He had a talent for sharing life's pure joy. Giant grins and powerful hugs helped to convey it!
When my family was in need, Doug and Judi invited them all over for Easter Sunday dinner! We oohed and aaahed together at fireworks. I once walked to your Grandpa's house when I ran out of gas. He loves his family!! And would do anything to SHOW it.
I am a better person for my happy association and hugs from that man! You have an incredible grandpa. Always will.
LM
I have so many wonderful memories of Doug, maybe I'll come on every so often and post more, but these are two of my favorite:
When I had been at college a few months, I remember I was in my room and my roommates yelled from the kitchen that I had a phone call. When I got on the phone it was Doug! He said that he had just been thinking of me and called to see how college was. I talked to him for a little bit and told him about classes and roommates and boys. When I hung up I remember I was so happy. It seriously just made my day that not only was he thinking about me, but that he would call and see how I was doing. It was so sweet!
Another time, after I was married, we were at our house for Christmas. When we got there, I jumped out of the car and gave him a hug. He looked at me suspiciously and asked, "Are you pregnant yet?" I laughed and told him no, but that when I was I'd let him know. Then, a week later, much to my surprise, I found out I WAS pregnant! It must have been a 6th sense.
The whole community is mourning with you guys. Thank you so much for creating this blog to share our cherished memories.
-Rebecca Francis
one day in primary, we were practicing the song "i'm so glad when daddy comes home...." and doug was sitting in a chair to be like the audience for us so we could practice. during the song, he told me to go and sit on his lap to do the actions. so of course i ran up and sat on his lap and did all the actions. and at the end, i gave him a great, big kiss, just like the song told me too. at the end we were both all red!!!!! it was the greatest sunday EVER!!!!!!!!!
i will never forget any of my memories of doug renn and i know he wont either!!!!
love always,
anneebananee
Besides seeing Doug at church and church functions, he soon became my own personal video outlet.When THE OTHER CHANNEL video store went out of business, I had to turn to Doug and his giant room of videos!!! Many years ago, he was trying to number and get all of the titles in order, to make selecting quicker. I think he was driving Judy nutts with this project. ( giggle ). Anyway, years later, he started with the DVD's and my borrowing days had to end. I didn't own a DVD player, and besides it seemed more complicated than VCR.
This past summer, my sister, a non member was in town visiting, and we ran over to Target in Eagle Rock. As I was checking out, this huge man came up behind me, and gave me the biggest hug!!! My sister was shocked and scared. I chatted with Doug a few minutes, waved hello to Judy in another line, and then had to explain to my sister who this huggin' guy was! He was from church!!! OK, she relaxed and put the mace away!! Just kidding.
I have had to pass the news onto other out of state relatives. About 5 years or so ago, we had out of the area relatives over for an early Christmas dinner. After eating, we bundled their two little ones up and walked over to Doug and Judy's dynamic Christmas display. Everyone was in awe. Many pictures were flashed, a few with Santa Doug. They had never seen such a spectacular set up. Later they drove their car over to get more pictures.
Last, Doug always asked with concern, about how each of our kids were doing? He loved us all, but especially the youth. He was certainly their cheerleader. I appreciate his asking and concern, as they didn't have grandparents around. Doug gave us that grandpa security. What a wonderful, wonderful man.We sure will miss him. I also agree with Lisa Renn's comment at the funeral, " Thank you Doug for giving us and leaving us Judy" She truly is a special wife. WE, in the ward, hope to support her in this difficult time.
one of my fondest memories I have of Coug happened a few years ago when we were having dinner at our home around Christmas time. Doug and Judy along with Chandler Jones and his kids were all over enjoying dinner. This particular year Rebecca had learned the song "Santa Baby" actions and all, in the singing group Showbiz Kids. After dinner she had Doug sit down in a chair in the living and Rebecca began singing "Santa Baby" to everyone's favorite Santa Doug Renn. As she started to sing "Santa baby just slip a sable under the tree for me" Doug got the biggest smile on his face and he was just eating it up!! As the song progressed "been an offal good girl Santa baby", and the feather boa started to bet wrapped around his neck, Doug started to turn pink. Rebecca danced around him and gave it all she had and he just kept getting pinker and pinker. She sang on, "Think of all the fun I've missed think of all the boy's that I haven't kissed," as she gives him a peck on the cheek. At this point Doug has gone from pink to bright red! Everyone was laughing as she sang on "Next year I can be twice as good if you check off my Christmas list" she sang on... "Santa baby forgot to mention one little thing a ring, and I don't mean on the phone Santa baby so hurry down the chimney tonight" Well, by the end of the song I thought we were going to have to break out the oxygen mask!!! I did not think anyone could Make Doug blush bright red but I have the pictures to prove it!! We will forever miss our favorite "Santa Baby"
Another quick memory I have of Doug was when Eric got his mission call. Doug had called and ask if we would please let him know when Eric got his call so he could come up while he opened it. When that call came the last Friday in May 2007 I called Doug and Judy and told them the call was here and we were opening it. They rushed up to our house and shared in that special moment with our family. (I think Doug thought I needed that oxygen mask when Eric read he was called to the Kenya Nairobi Mission!) Those pictures of Eric opening his mission call with Doug in them are even more precious to us now. Thank you Judy for sharing Doug with all of us.
I will always remember the first day I arrived at Verdugo Hills Ward, and my first encounter with Brother Renn. I was standing in the sunday school classroom when class was dismiss and I saw bro. Renn pat his wife on the butt:). At that moment he turned around and saw the stunned look on my face so he walk over to me. He said, " hi cutie, I've never seen you here before". Then he gave me a great big hug and a kiss on the cheek. He was always so happy and he would lift my spirits with just one look at his infectious smile. I will never forget brother Renn.- Lupita Jones.
Oh, do I have stories to tell of "Huggin Doug"! I remember when Steve Bush introduced me to Doug, all he could say was, "He loves to hug, so just deal with it". I have NEVER met a man that had better hugs than Doug! Even better than my husband! It was love at first sight, when I met Doug I knew, just like everyone else knew, you loved him and trusted him. When I told my husband, Allen of "huggin Doug" he wanted to meet him, and when they did, he hugged Doug just as Doug hugged him! My husband never is a softy, but around Doug he was putty in his hands! Thanks Doug, I needed to see that side. My youngest, whom Doug met at age 3 and informed me, "He was the real Santa", after meeting Doug, we drove from Ventura to La Crescenta every year to see Santa, Kaeleah could never figure out how Santa lived so close, but he had to be real, because, "mom, Santa knew my name, did he steal this house?" I explained no Santa just rented this house for the time he could be in this area, then he goes some place else and gets another space to visit kids, well if you know her, her comment, "Mrs. Clause just goes whereever Santa tells her?" I said, well, no honey they talk about where they need to go and decide together, that wasn't good enough! "But mom, he always knows me, why me?" I said Santa and Ms Clause love you and want you to know Santa is proud of you!" OK, Santa, what do I say this year? She is almost 10 and still believes in Santa, (because of you!!) I hope you're ready to help out from heaven this year, just explain to God you need a break to go back to the States and return the faith of love to all of us. We miss you and I will be sending some pictures to your family I have found recently that shows your love of kids! Thank you to each of you for sharing "Huggin Doug" to each of us, and Steve Bush, thank you for teaching me, it's ok to hug!
Joni Isaac and family
Doug was a great family friend. Originally knew him from church, in the old days, before La Crescenta. He and I went to the weight room at L.A. Valley College many times together. He was the main speaker at my mom's funeral.
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