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Douglas Arthur Potter died on the afternoon of December 31, 2000. He had been married to Tatyana for 9 months and they were living in their first house in Scottsdale, AZ. Although he was very ill, Tatyana made sure he got to his 10th reunion, that's all he wanted to do. Doug graduated from Lousiana Tech with a degree in Aviation and minor in Business. Until he completed his necessary hours for flying, he went to work as an Aviation Insurance Salesman. Doug loved his friends and faithly kept in touch with as many as he could, all the way back to Haude Elementary. Doug took BIG bites out of life, he traveled, owned Harley's, and loved his cars and trucks. Remember his VW Rabbit? The last thing he bought was a Cesna because of his love for flying. The last truck he owned was a big white Dodge Ram and I needed a box in order to get into it. Doug had wonderful memories of Klein Oak. He was happiest on the football field and at all the dances, and probably some other stuff I don't even know about.
Doug had strong character, a big heart and a deep Faith. He was born on my birthday, and he was the greatest gift a Mom could ever ask for. He was a good son, brother, husband and friend.
Class of '90, have a wonderful 20th reunion and know that all of those who are in heaven will be with you in spirit today.
Love,
from the proud Mom of Doug Potter
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Molly Frye (Wilmington)
Thank you for sharing, Mrs. Potter. Everyone loved Doug and I have so many good memories of him from high school and our 10 year reunion. He even helped lead our reunion, and I did not know how sick he was. I had fun dancing with him and his wife and going to the football game and SRO, too. I wished I could have come to the memorial service in January. I was already back in North Carolina but heard that so many classmates attended.
Brad Smith
You and I both knew Doug during the best parts of our young adult lives. Doug was always the life of any get-together.
11/11/1971 ~ 12/31/2000
There is not a memory that I have of Junior High or High School that doesn’t include Doug Potter. For every event whether it was school or doing things with my family, Doug always a part of it. I tended to be the quiet one in the group and Doug was always the gregarious one, full of life, always laughing, ALWAYS telling stories. We used to use the ol’ Doug Potter rule and whatever he was describing….take half of it and that was closer to the truth or actual description! Whenever Doug was around there always seemed to be a group listening and enjoying what he had to say.
I met Doug when we were in Haude elementary, but became great friends during our time at Strack Intermediate. During the spring and early summer of our 8th grade year Doug and I were like brothers. Doug became known in our family of 9 children as the 10th McCoy. Doug always had a special ‘Potter’ sense to know when supper was on the table – of course mama always had an extra seat at the table, and if Doug missed supper he was sure to show up when Desert was being served!
I spent a lot of time with the Potter’s too, and was lucky to spend vacations with them in Destin Florida, where Doug and I would ‘cruise’ up and down the beach – in our 1980’s short shorts and crew cuts thinking we were as cool as “Maverick” in Top Gun! I remember Doug as the outgoing friend that never met a stranger! He had the personality that was magnetic.
Even though the road to college took us on different paths, Doug attended Louisiana Tech and I went up to Virginia we had the good fortune to be living in Austin at the same time in 1996. Those were great memories! Doug had a good job that paid well, he was single, but dating and it was a “very Doug” thing to do when he got a side job as a “chef” flipping burgers at one of his favorite hang outs. We used to ask him why he would take another job at night and he said because of the free food and he got to hang out, meet some neat people and hear great music!! That kind of wraps up who he was, a larger than life kind of guy that always had your back. He was big guy with a booming voice but one of the most sensitive caring guys I’ve ever known.
I often think of Doug and how he would be today. Though he was married a short time before he died, I find myself thinking how he would have loved being a father and a family man. Douglas Arthur Potter was a great friend to many and will always be a part of our class –
Jimmy McCoy
KOHS 1990.
Jason Vickers
Doug and I started really our second stage of freindship when we were both in Austin. After his marriage to Tanya and the move to Arizona we kept in touch and I visited a few times. A loyal friend and could put a smile on your face and make you laugh at any given moment. No story was ever the same when Potter told it.
Gregory Merkt
I grew up with Doug and have memories of him at every stage of my life and often think of him today.
Through elementary school we would spend countless hours riding our bikes and spending as much time at the creek catching turtles and snakes, going to the pool, giving sheriff Mike hell and spending the night at each others homes. Myself, Cook and Potter lived for the days of grabbing our nets and our bikes to spend the day catching turtles and snakes. This continued on through much of Junior High with the only thing changing was that we would talk about how hot Heather Newmeyer and Stephanie Tedford were during our sleep overs as we'd drift off to sleep.
I moved away for about 1.5 years during those critical times when you're trying to establish your social life in preparation for High School. Upon returning during the middle of 9th grade I wasn't sure what to expect; had my friends forgotten about me (email and cell phones didn't exist at that time)?; who would I hang out with at lunch the first day of school? After the arduous drive from Ohio to Texas with the family we returned back to Cypresswood and as we made the turn onto our new street, low and behold there was a familiar face. It was Doug on his skate board waiting to welcome me home and go for ride on our boards. He was also there to give me plenty of hell about my mullet. At that age it was a huge relief to have a friend there to pal back up with on day one in High School.
We went off to college in different states and life took us in different directions for a bit, but it wasn't long before that changed. Doug was religious with calling on my birthday and we would talk throughout the year to catch up and always right where we left off. He visited me in Boston and I helped him prepare to ask his wife to marry him which was occurring in Chatham, MA the day after he left my place. But before he left I had to take him to a seafood shop so he could load up on steamed lobster tails to snack on for his drive down to Chatham (he got 6!). I think it was this visit where I truly appreciated the friend that I had, how fun he was, how loyal he was, how caring, and how comfortable he was in his own skin. I always knew these things, but it meant something to me as an adult to recognize the valuable friend that I had.
He showed enormous gratitude for coming to his bachelor party and wedding. He also convinced me to travel into town for the 10 year reunion. He was so nervous about how his body would react with the stimulation of everyone being around at the reunion, but we told him that he was in good company and if he convinced me to come he sure as hell wasn't getting out of going now.
Not long after Doug passed my father bought a Harley. The inspiration behind it was: "Doug had so much fun with life that it makes me realize that I can't keep putting off the fun I want to have in life."
He told great stories. He was the glue that kept several of us in contact. He was never short of gratitude for having the chance to spend time with you. He truly cared about what you were doing and how your family were doing. He was a good friend.
I was quail hunting in South Texas by myself not long ago and came across a rattle snake and shortly there after a tortoise. The two things that connected us when we were so young. I stood over that tortoise for a few minutes thinking "man, this would be a huge score if only Potter and Cook were here to be a part of it."
Cook lives not far from me in Birmingham, Alabama. We talk about Potter often.
Greg Merkt
Angie Perry (Roy)
I recently came across pictures of a brief, but memorable friendship, and when I discovered this website, I couldn't help but feel sad that I didn't maintain the few friendships I had in high school. Doug never judged me...because he knew what I was dealing with. He was always kind, supportive and while he didn't approve of my choices, he was always there to listen. It may have taken me awhile to find my way, but Doug's forgiveness, character and all around personality made a lasting impression on me. I often think back to the days of hanging out, being kids and just enjoying being together. A special thanks to his parents for making me feel welcome...even when I knew you had your doubts. Doug's grace came from you and made a lasting impression on me.