Arthur Douglas Holtzclaw, 75, of Beaumont passed away on July 9, 2016. Doug was born in Port Arthur to Margie Mae and Gordon Thomas Holtzclaw on March 16, 1941.
Doug grew up in Port Arthur and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1959. After high school Doug attended Lamar College of Technology.
In 1961, Doug met Linda Ann Barrow while at the Pig Stand on College Street. The pair dated for two years and were married on September 3, 1963. Shortly after marrying, Doug and Ann moved to Beaumont where they would spend the rest of their lives. Together they raised 5 children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren with another great-grandson arriving in September. Doug worked for Firestone for many years as a store manager and commercial tire salesman. He retired from GCR Truck Tire Center in 2006.
Doug was an avid fisherman who spent countless hours with friends and family at lakes and in the surf, where he passed his passion for fishing down to his children and grandchildren. He was also a wonderful artist who crafted beautiful duck and goose decoys for which he won numerous awards at local and national carving competitions. Above all else, Doug loved his family and he found enjoyment in any event that allowed him to be surrounded by those he loved.
To his family, Doug was a treasure. He leaves them with great memories of camping trips at Dam B and weekends in New Orleans; Sunday smoked briskets and birthday crawfish boils; crabbing trips with grandkids and redfishing on the Saturday after Labor Day; the Thanksgiving Day turkey incident and the Christmas morning Silly String. Most of all, he leaves them with enough love and laughter to overflow the Gulf of Mexico.
Doug left us to be reunited with his family that preceded him in death; his wife of 52 years, Linda Ann, his parents, Margie and G.T., sisters JoAnn Holtzclaw and Virginia Chen, daughter-in-law Alyssa Ann Holtzclaw and grandson Jacob Tucker Holtzclaw.
He is survived by his sons, Doug Holtzclaw of San Leon; Mike Holtzclaw; Jerry Holtzclaw, both of Bevil Oaks; and Todd Holtzclaw of Sour Lake; daughter, Jill Midkiff and her husband, Doug, of China; brothers, Gordon Thomas Holtzclaw, Jr. and wife Cat of Crystal Beach; George Andrew Holtzclaw of Nederland; grandsons, David Midkiff and his fiancé, Hillary; Sam Midkiff; Ty Holtzclaw; and Luke Holtzclaw; granddaughters, Sarah Boudreaux and her husband, Derek; and Caitlin Midkiff and her husband, Wes; great-grandson, Aiden Boudreaux; great-granddaughters, Lily Boudreaux and Eva Grace Boudreaux; and a multitude of extended family and friends.
A gathering of Mr. Holtzclaw’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 14, 2016, at Broussard’s Chapel, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, with his interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Holtzclaw Foundation, which was established in memory of Alyssa and Tucker Holtzclaw, benefiting local education and charities. Please send contributions in care of Sara Poole to 1670 East Cardinal Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77705.
