Pastor Douglas McVay

Through the life of Pastor Douglas McVay we are reminded that there is little value found in the things of this world, but that it is through the lives we change for the better that we are richly blessed. He was a gentle and compassionate man whose life exemplifies what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord he loved. With the love of his life by his side, Doug was blessed to witness his family tree blossom to include the children and grandchildren he treasured. A man of great courage, humility, and faith, he will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Amidst the trials of WWII, there was much to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from San Francisco, California, as they welcomed a baby boy into their hearts and home on March 28, 1942. Douglas Leon was the second of four children born to his parents, Merle and Audrey (Balfour) McVay, and was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Patty, Paul, and Nancy. Doug’s Grandmother McVay, an ordained Elder in the Church of God, looked over all her grandchildren and said of Doug, ”This one will be called of God.” Even though he gave her little hope for that dream, during his teen years, he became the man of God for whom she had prayed.

Life was not always easy for Doug. His biological father was not an active part of his life; but when his mother later married Raymond Blaes, Doug was blessed with a wonderful father figure. Raymond worked as an attorney while Doug’s mother did some accounting and worked as an office manager. As a young man Doug went to Liberal, Kansas, Doug left school when he was 16, but returned to the classroom at age 20. Raymond tutored him for some time, and, after completing his Junior year of high school, his pastor encouraged him to take the test for his GED, which he received from Turpin High School.

A new beginning was in store for Doug when he became a Christian while in jail at the age of 18 after the group of kids he was hanging around with got in some trouble. His stepfather bailed him out of jail while his pastor sponsored him and was instrumental in helping Doug get his life back on track.

With a desire to serve the Lord, Doug continued his education. He received his bachelor’s degree from Bethany Nazarene College in Oklahoma, and later went on to earn his master’s degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.

After completing his education Doug began working as a preacher in the late 1960s and was officially ordained in 1972. Through the years he served as a pastor at the following churches: Osawatamie Nazarene Church in Oswatamie, Kansas, and churches in Logan, Ohio; Piqua, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Harlingen, Texas; and Syracuse, New York. Doug eventually retired after pastoring Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene in Vicksburg. From there he went to New Church Specialties, helping several other churches, in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. It was easy to see that Doug loved his work, his devotion to the churches he served unmatched.

While he was busy serving the Lord, Doug met and married the woman of his dreams. Her name was Paula, and together they were blessed with three children: Jeff, Vince, and Andrew.

In his free time Doug enjoyed pursuing some of his interests. He loved walking the beach with Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, being his favorite place to visit. Doug loved singing and was gifted with a rich baritone voice. Although being in the kitchen wasn‘t really his strong suit, he was excellent at cooking fried eggs and getting them just right. When it came to his favorite foods he loved everything Tex-Mex. Doug did his fair share of golfing. In fact, he even made a hole-in-one at Indian Run on one occasion! When relaxing at home he could often be found reading, and he had an extensive collection of books as well. Doug also collected hats.

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Douglas McVay made a significant impact in the lives of so many people throughout his life. He was compassionate and funny, intuitive and honorable, but it will be his Godly walk that will be his shining legacy. Life will never be the same without Doug here, but his memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts and lives of those he leaves behind.

Pastor Douglas Leon McVay of Portage died on Sunday, February 17, 2013. Doug’s family includes his wife, Paula; three children and their families: Jeff McVay, of Portage, Vince McVay, of Kalamazoo; Andrew McVay, of PA; four grandchildren; three siblings and families: Patty Dick, of KS; Paul Blaes, of OK; Nancy Blaes Young Alzola , of ID; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 19th from 4-7 p.m. and Wednesday from noon until 1 p.m. both visitations will be held at the Cross Community Church of the Nazarene, 5625 Oakland Drive, Portage, MI. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 at 1 p.m. at the same location. Please visit Doug’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can sign his memory book online before coming to the church.