Douglas Rees

Douglas Edward Rees of Rose, Oklahoma passed from this earthly life on April 30, 2018 after a long illness. Doug was born in Shelbyville, Illinois on May 9, 1951 to Paul Edward and Naomi Harrington Rees. He moved with his family to their ancestral home of Nixa, MO in 1963 and spent his early life there. Doug graduated from Nixa High School in 1969 and went on to attend Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU). Always a hard worker, he began doing farm work on the family farm as well as hiring out to neighboring farmers in his teen years. Doug loved ranching and raising cattle. It was rare to see Doug without his cowboy hat and in later years his long, white beard. He loved a good deal and was known for his integrity. Doug lived in the Spokane/Highlandville area for a number of years. He then moved his cattle operation to Lockwood, MO until he bought his dream ranch in Rose, Oklahoma near Tahlequah. Doug had many friends in all walks of life because he was a faithful friend. Tough and tender could be used to describe him. Usually softspoken, he had a dry humor that stayed with him to the very end. Doug was generous and caring, driving miles to see a sick friend or lend a hand. He loved his family in practical ways and considered his friends like family. Doug wasn't someone you could put in a box. He was a free spirit who loved freely. Doug loved God, his family, his country, and his cattle. He made it clear when going into this journey a year ago that his faith in God was strong and his hope of Heaven sure. Doug's parents, Paul and Naomi Rees of Highlandville, MO preceded him in death. Doug is survived by his daughters: Lillian "Muffy" Fitzpatrick and her husband, Daren of Highlandville, MO, Annastasia "Cuppy" Juede and her husband, Arthur "Butch" of Ozark, MO, and Libby Gayle Singleton of Bolivar and sons James and David Rees of Highlandville, MO; his grandchildren: Dylan and Derek Fitzpatrick, Lillian and Trevor Arnall, Chloe, Andrea, and Alicia Juede, and Seanna Benson; two brothers: Carlos Rees and his wife, Brenda of Nixa, MO and Tom Rees and his wife Beverly of Shell Knob, MO; and one sister: Sonja Baldwin and her husband Randy of Highlandville, MO; many nieces & nephews in the Rees family as well as special aunts and cousins in the Harrington clan; a lifetime of wonderful friends, and his horse, Blackey, of 27 years. The Bible tells us that "God owns the cattle on a thousand hills." Now He has someone to take care of them. A funeral service will be 2:00 PM Sunday, May 6, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. Burial will follow in Payne Cemetery, Nixa. Visitation will be Friday in Greene County Funeral Home, Tahlequah, Oklahoma.