| Gilbert was Treasurer of the Clan
Douglas Society of North America.
Gilbert Franklin Douglas, Jr., M.D., F.S.A (SCOT) was
born May 7, 1916, in Meridian, Mississippi, the son of the late Gilbert F.
Douglas, Sr. and the late Mary Rachel Griffin Douglas. He graduated from
Birmingham-Southern College in 1936 and Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine in 1940, and did his internship and residency in internal
medicine at Hilima Hospital in Birmingham. Answering his country's call,
Dr. Douglas joined the United States Navy Medical Corps. After serving in
a hospital and a minesweeper squadron, his final tour
of duty was spent aboard the USS Columbus (CA74) in the Pacific Theater.
Sarah Amanda Phillips and Dr. Douglas were married in 1946. He spent two
years in Boston, MA as a research fellow and medical resident at the
Joseph Pratt Diagnostic Hospital. Dr. Douglas practiced internal medicine
in Birmingham and Vestavia Hills for over 50 years. He served on the
medical staffs of South Highland (now Health South), Brookwood Medical
Center, and UAB.
Dr. Douglas was a man who loved God, family and country and was
instrumental in establishing Reformed Heritage Presbyterian Church (where
he served as an elder), Christian Heritage School, and Heritage Academy in
Vestavia Hills. Dr. Gilbert co-founded the Clan Douglas Society of North
America, serving as Secretary and Archivist for 20 years; he was also
active with the St. Andrew's Society of the Middle South, the Caledonian
Society of Alabama, and Heritage Pipes and Drums (he played the snare
drum). In recognition of his contributions in preserving Scottish
heritage, he was honoured with the title of Fellow of Scottish
Antiquaries.
Dr. Douglas was a true American patriot who sought to
restore America to her Christian foundation. He was an associate member of
the Fraternal Order of Police and founded the Support Your Local Police
Committee of Birmingham. He was a member of the Freedoms Foundation of
Valley Forge and received the organization's Congress of Freedom Award in
1970. Dr. Douglas earned his Eagle Rank in 1934 and established Boy Scout
Troop l05. He helped found the Heart of Dixie Railway Historical Society.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sarah Amanda Phillips
Douglas; two sons, Gilbert Franklin Douglas, III (Cynthia), Herbert Wesley
Douglas (Flora "Tad"); four daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Douglas Martin
(Daniel), Mary Amanda Douglas Owings, Alma Helen Douglas Gaudette (Peter),
Dorothy Frances Douglas Taft (James).
He is survived by nineteen grandchildren: Paul Joseph Owings, Rachel
Elizabeth Owings, Wesley Crosby Douglas, Gilbert Franklin Douglas, IV, Sarah
Amanda Martin, Phillip Edwin Douglas, Douglas Colwell Owings, James Dennis
Nettles Douglas, William Gray Douglas, Robert Daniel Martin, Rosemary Amanda
Douglas, Douglas Lamon Martin, John Herbert Cornelius Douglas, Daniel
Carmichael Douglas, Heather Elizabeth Martin, Samuel Lessley Ardis Douglas,
Laura Elizabeth Douglas, Stephen James Gaudette and Andrew Winston
Gaudette;
One great granddaughter, Taylor Nicole Owings. (Now 9? - May 2016)
Dr. Douglas is also survived by two sisters, Lillian Douglas Berg and Sarah
Frances Douglas, and two brothers, George Capers Douglas and William Wesley
Douglas.
Dr. Douglas was ushered into the presence of his Heavenly Father at 4 PM,
February 28,2002. Contributions in his memory will be graciously accepted
by: Reformed Heritage Presbyterian, 1401 Montgomery Hwy., Vestavia Hills, AL
35216; or Scholarship Fund, Clan Douglas Society of N. A., Suite 209, 701
Montgomery Hwy., Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.
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