Douglas Lewis Vann, Sr., 84, of Milton, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2015. He was born in Pensacola, Florida, on April 28, 1931, to Ezra and Louise Vann.

Doug proudly served in the US Navy during the Korean War Era. Following his military career he opened his own automotive business. He was an avid racing fan and shared a passion with his sons and daughter, Paula, building and racing cars. He was a proud family man and was thought of as "the glue that held the family together."

He is preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Sam Winslow, and Ezra Vann; son, Douglas Vann, Jr.; and great-granddaughter, Phoenix Patrick.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Thelma Vann; children, Paula (Jim) Goings, Kathy (Craig) Woolard, Jeff (Christine) Vann, Todd (Lynn) Lamb, Christine (Curtis) Cassell, Krista (Rob) Fuqua, and Dawn Vann; fifteen grandchildren, Courtney Mason (Brad) Patrick, Dustin Goings, Josh (Crystal) Schulenberg, Chase (Chantal) Woolard, Skylar Woolard, Ami Hardy, Adam Columbus, Ryan Vann, Jessica (Cory) Hill, Dana (Patrick) Meek, Chad (Jennifer) Rutherford, Britney Irwin, Sydney Cassell, Megan Widish and Glenn Widish; fifteen great-grandchildren; Preston Mason, Aden and Jaysa Goings, Meena Schulenberg, Sienna and Sawyer Woolard, Destiny and Ethan Hardy, Tristan, Haley, and Paige Columbus, Cason Vann, Haidyn and Harleigh Hill, Kinslee and Taylor Rutherford, and Ryan Widish. He is also survived by his brother, Eugene (Nell) Vann; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, August 15, 2015, at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton Chapel, with Rev. Mike Poston officiating. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2015, at Lewis Funeral Home Milton.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are Cleo Heath, Eddie Simmons, Billy Simmons, Dwayne Hoodless, Doug Blum, Winston Brown, and Larry Gann.

And this is what he promised us—eternal life. I John 2:25 (NIV)