Douglas E. "Papa" Dee

Douglas E. "Papa" Dee, 66, well-known area philanthropist and founder of "Papa's Helping Vets", of Rock Island, Illinois, died Saturday, January 6, 2018, at UnityPoint Health - Trinity Rock Island.

For many years, Doug informally extended his goodwill and helping hand to other veterans. He never knew a stranger and always gave of himself to others. What started as a small gesture to help a veteran who needed a couch, became a large nonprofit organization of providing household goods and furniture to veterans, primarily, homeless veterans. In retirement, his life was his family and "Papa's Helping Vets," which he and his wife founded in 2007. For over a decade, Papa provided assistance to thousands of veterans in the Quad Cities area. He collaborated with many veteran organizations, but never turned away a person in need. Though humble to his core about his remarkable mission, he received the Jefferson Award in 2014. He was recognized for his contributions to the tangible needs of our veterans, but took it much further and brought awareness to the transition struggles of our nations heroes. A true hero himself, Papa dedicated his life to serving others with loving devotion and a tenacious spirit of loyalty to his comrades.

Services are 10:00 a.m. Thursday in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, with Rev. Jeff Edwards officiating. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Milan American Legion Post #569 and VVA Chapter #669 will present military honors. Visitation is 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Cremation will take place prior to services at Trimble Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Adonai Community Support Services in Aledo or the Milan American Legion.

Doug was born April 11, 1951, in Ohio, and was the son of Edwin D. and Josephine (McGlothlin) Dee. He graduated from Moline High School in 1969 and married Judith Montgomery on February 6, 1999, in Port Byron, Illinois.

Doug voluntarily enlisted into the United States Army December 24, 1969, during the turbulent times of the Vietnam War. He served as a combat medic in Vietnam where he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service medal with 3 bronze service stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Upon return, he continued in the medical corps as an xray technician at Darnell Hospital, Ft Hood, Texas. He was discharged from the Army in December 1972, however later joined the United States Army Reserves where he served eleven more years in the medical corps. Following his discharge in 1990, Doug continued his life of service as a devoted husband and father.

He worked for several pest control companies before following in his father's footsteps and becoming a disc jockey on WGEN for several years. He is most remembered as "Doug Hamilton" on "Remember Then", with his partner, Ann McKay.

Papa was a proud member of the Milan American Legion, VVA Chapters 669 and 299, MAVA, and AUSA, to mention a few. He enjoyed fishing and home improvement, and was talented with ceramics and carpentry. He loved driving his Ford F-150 trucks over the years. The family is very grateful to Bobby Bazer, who drove him on his daily trips to Home Depot, Menards, and Lowes, when he could no longer drive.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jude; children, Matthew (Nicole) Young of Davenport, Douglas A. Dee of Davenport, Tracy Cox of East Moline, Jeffrey (Whitney) Dee of St. Louis, Missouri, Justin (Edna) Dee of Gainesville, Florida, Kaitlin Dee of Hudson, Florida, Molly Lewis of Rock Island, and Lisa (Danny) Lincoln of Davenport; 19 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; his mother, Josephine Black, of Havana, Illinois; a sister, Susan (George Jackson) Dembinski of Merrillville, Indiana; in-laws, Steven (Peggy) Houk of Davenport, Sandra (Bob) Payne of Hampton, Anita (James) Holmberg of Franklin, Nebraska, and Tamera (Terry) Langfitt of Davenport; many nieces and nephews; and an "adopted son", Bobby Bazer of Rock Island. He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin Dee, and a son, Jesse Dee.

Visit Papa's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences.