Douglas was born January 29, 1934, in Mahaska County, Iowa, the son of Dale and Alta Lane Lappin. He graduated from Cedar High School in 1951. He was united in marriage to Donna Witt on June 28, 1953, in Cedar, Iowa. Douglas farmed with his father in the Cedar area. In November, 1954, he enlisted in the United States Army. Following discharge, he worked construction, building roads; helped with the construction of I-80; and worked at Offett Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. Douglas then returned to the Fremont area and farmed until opening Lappin Oil Company, which he owned and operated until 1991. Doug drove trucks for five years after closing the gas station until his retirement. He continued to help farmers in the area until his health failed. Douglas was a Charter Member of the Mahaska County Sheriff's Posse in the 1960's, remaining a member for over 40 years; a member of the Pilots Association; Iowa Oil Jobbers Association; did aerial photography for the United States Government ASCS office for seven years; and was a member of the Cedar United Methodist Church. While his children were growing up, he enjoyed riding horses, carpentry work, riding motorcycles, camping at Lake Rathbun, and snow skiing. Doug is survived by his wife, Donna, of Fremont, Iowa; three sons: Rodney Lappin of Fremont, Iowa; Steven (Brenda) Lappin of Cedar, Iowa; and Todd Lappin of Oskaloosa, Iowa; eleven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and four sisters: Lillian Hynick of Ottumwa, Iowa; Virginia Clark of Ottumwa, Iowa; Ila (Paul "Bud") Osborne of Albany, Missouri; and Lola (Sanford) Owens of Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law: Homer Hynick and Jim Clark.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Hospice Serenity House, 630 N. 12th Street, Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577, or to the Cedar United Methodist Church, Cedar, Iowa 52543.