Douglas R. Kanis

Douglas R. Kanis

June 06, 1957 - November 12, 2016

Douglas R. Kanis

June 06, 1957 - November 12, 2016

Obituary

Doug Kanis

An amazing father, husband, brother and friend, Douglas Ralph Kanis passed away on Saturday, November 12th at the age of 59.

Doug is survived by his loving wife Jackie, their beautiful daughter, Olivia May, son Chris and granddaughter Aubrey, son Brad, wife Paulita and granddaughter Brianna.

Doug is lovingly remembered by his sister Mary Leatherman, husband Rick and children Teddy, Hadley and Paxton; nieces Danielle, Debra and Darby; brother David, Matthew and Rachel, brother Donald; Jackie’s parents Jim and Sheila Lane and Gerald and Jeanne Shirel; Jackie’s sisters and families: Tom and Julie Miller, Kate, Brianna and Thomas; Darren Sieben and Emily; Andrew and Janice Hartsock, Carlyn and Brooks; Christina Lively, Tyler and Eliza; and Stacey Shively. Doug was preceded in death by his daughter, Caroline Ellene, granddaughter Noelle Ellene, brother Richard Kanis, sister-in-law Jennifer Sieben and parents Benard and Ava Kanis.

Doug was born in Spencer, Iowa, on June 6, 1957. He graduated from Rex Putnam High School in 1975 and went on to earn a Bachelors from Portland State in 1981. Doug was a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California and for the last 13 years worked as a Senior Engineer for the Orange County Sanitation District.

Doug, nicknamed “Bull”, treasured spending time with his family above all. He was a very hands-on dad and grandfather and he enjoyed wood-working and dirt-biking with friends. You couldn’t meet Doug without walking away with a new friend. He was lovingly referred to as “a gentle giant” and was always up for a great conversation or a hug if you needed one. He will be greatly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

Doug lived with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years and his daughter, Olivia and granddaughter, Aubrey continue to live with type 1. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to JDRF at http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/dougkanis. JDRF raises funds for the millions of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Service Information:

Doug Kanis Memorial Service
Friday, November 18th 2016 – 6pm
The Chapel at Mariners Church
5001 Newport Coast Drive
Irvine, CA 92603

Reception Immediately Following
The Community Center at Liberty Baptist Church
1000 Bison Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92660

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6 responses to Douglas R. Kanis

  1. 1 file added to the tribute wall

  2. Doug was indeed a gentle giant, a wonderful friend who will be dearly missed.

  3. mona Stokes says:

    There are no words to express how heartbreaking the loss of this sweet man is for me. I will always remember how patient and kind he was looking for me at LAX when neither of us knew there was two pick up spots.

  4. Dave kanis says:

    To my dear baby brother. I am so sorry to lose you. You were the best brother in the world. In these last year’s we were not close which makes me very sad. I hope to see you again some day where there is no more pain or separation. We will talk and catch up. I love you, your older brother dave.

  5. I have had the pleasure of working Doug for several years now at OCSD and, it is true that in talking with him, you have an instant friendship. I shared with him about the loss of my two nephews and he was so kind and understanding and shared some wisdom with me about that loss and kind words to share with my sister. Doug was truly what I call an “angel-on-earth” person. I am so glad to have know him and I will continue to hold all of his family up in prayer.

    –Joan Parker-Frey

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