Douglas Horace Hay passed on July 6, 2025, of congestive heart failure at Mad River Community Hospital in Arcata, California. He resided with our cousin, Michael Brasher, in Arcata.
Born on July 18, 1958, at Tanner Memorial Hospital in Carrollton, Georgia, the third child of loving parents, Melba and William Hay, and the little brother to Dale and Debra, Doug was loved very much. He was a happy, fun addition to our family. Doug attended 1st and 2nd grade at Washington Elementary School in Cloverdale, California. Our family then moved to Rosemead, California, where he attended the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades at Encinita Elementary School. Our family returned to Cloverdale, where Doug attended Jr. High at his former school, Washington Elementary. Doug attended Cloverdale Union High School where he graduated with the Class of 1976. He played football for the Cloverdale High Eagles throughout high school. Doug had a lot of friends in school and enjoyed fishing on the Russian River and riding his motorcycle through the hills around Cloverdale and out Highway 128.
Doug attended College of the Redwood in Humboldt County in 1976-77, where he was on the wrestling team. He then worked with his father, Bill Hay, for Wershow-Ash-Lewis Auctioneers. Together they prepared many mill sites in Northern California and beyond. Traveling from jobsite to jobsite setting up for the auctions with his dad was an exciting time and led to many adventures …. Like when he bought an old school bus in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, that he then drove back to California.
Through the 1980’s, Doug settled in Cobb Mountain, California, where he worked as a “roughneck” in The Geysers in Lake County for several years. In 2002, Doug moved to Humboldt County where he worked with his brother-in-law, Steve Quigley, doing landscape maintenance. Doug was employed at Sun Valley Bulb Farm in Arcata for a few years. Doug would often bring our mom flowers, brightening her days.
Doug was a wonderful care provider for our mother in her last years of life. She truly appreciated him as did Dale and I. He stayed with her through difficult times; his presence comforted her. He did his best to make sure Mom was comfortable. He is my hero.
Doug is survived by his brother, Dale E. Hay, Sr. and family, sister, Debra Hay Quigley, and family, sister, Juli Misbach and family, and his “Cuz,” Michael Brasher. Doug also has many cousins, nieces, and nephews who greatly miss him. Doug was preceded in death by father, William E. Hay, mother, Melba B. Hay, and nephew, Dale E. Hay, Jr.
The family will host a Celebration of Life for Doug on his birthday, July 18, 2026. At 2:00 PM at Perigot Park 351 S. Railroad Ave. in Blue Lake, California 95525, Humboldt County. As Doug was a huge San Francisco Giants fan, please wear your Giants attire. The family welcomes any of Doug’s friends, co-workers, or classmates to attend. Please bring any pictures or stories you have of Doug. Food will be provided by the family. Any questions or condolences can be sent to grbeca@icloud.com.
The family would like to thank the Mad River Community Hospital ER and ICU departments and Ayres Family Cremation of Eureka for their care and professionalism.