One of the hardest parts about getting older is that it’s not something we do alone. On July 17th, my Uncle Doug passed away after suffering a massive stroke. He was eighty-two years old.Doug was married—twice—to my mom’s youngest sister, Aunt Janet. Together they had three children: Troy, Kurt, and Angela (Angel). Their love story was one that stayed with me my whole life.
In 2023, during our cross-country post-retirement road trip, Joe and I had the privilege of visiting Aunt Janet, Uncle Doug, and Angel at their home in Pelion, South Carolina. At the time, Aunt Janet was already having memory issues, and Doug took care of her with such kindness. Angel stopped by often to help out and check in on them. It was clear how much love surrounded them.
While we were in the area, we also got to reconnect with Kurt and his wife April, and later with Troy and his wife Candice. It had been decades since I’d last seen my cousins. Joe and I were so grateful they all made time to see us—it meant a lot to reconnect and get to know them as adults.
Now, Aunt Janet is in memory care. I haven’t asked my cousins whether she understands that Doug is gone. Part of me hopes she doesn’t have to know. That may sound strange, but if she doesn’t remember, she may be spared the pain.
What I know about Uncle Doug is this: he retired from the Navy, and I believe he later did some hazardous waste consulting—at least that’s what I remember him saying once. I know for certain that he also worked as a substitute teacher in North Carolina.
When I was growing up, Doug and Janet’s love made me swoon over romance. Their wedding photos were beautiful—almost magical. My grandmother had the album, and I loved flipping through the pages. To me, they were royalty.
But in 1974, just before I got married, Doug and Janet divorced. Janet moved back to Bryan with the kids. I remember hearing whispers about why they separated, but I never knew the full story—and I’ve decided it’s not mine to tell.
A few years later, though, they reunited and remarried. They were the first couple I had ever known to divorce and then find their way back to each other. In my eyes, that was proof of true love.
In July of 1992, when Megan was five months old, my mom and I traveled to North Carolina to visit Doug and Janet. They doted on Megan, of course, but what struck me most was how affectionate they were with each other. I don’t remember any of my other aunts and uncles holding hands or sneaking little kisses. But Doug and Janet did—and it was beautiful.
When Joe and I visited again in 2023, Aunt Janet’s memory was fading. But Doug and Angel treated her so gently and lovingly that I left feeling deeply moved. I remember thinking how lucky Janet was to have found the love of her life—and to still be loved like that, even in her most vulnerable moments.
And now, her love’s light is shining in another dimension.
Copied from obituary online:
Douglas Vernon McLean
March 8, 1943 — July 17, 2025
Pelion
Douglas Vernon McLean, 82, of Pelion, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 21, 2025 at Sharon Crossroads Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Monday in the church sanctuary. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery.
Mr. McLean was born in Lima, Ohio, a son of the late Russell Vernon and Ruby Gilbert McLean.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Ruth Hudkins McLean; children, Troy Douglas (Candice) McLean, Kurt Vernon (April) McLean and Angela (Donald) Parnell; grandchildren, Brittaney (Mike) Wray, Ashton Parnell, Brandon Parnell and Jessika (Mark) Harris; and a number of great grandchildren. He was predeceased by daughters-in-law, Margaret McLean and Evelyn McLean; and a grandson, Matthew Briggs.
Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).