Social Media Honored 100-Year-Old Ron Douglas

Video: Douglas Recalls Glory Years in the 1930s

N-Sider: Two Sons Thankful for Dad's Longevity

Randy York’s N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

The only centurion ever to receive two standing ovations in front of a sold-out Memorial Stadium football crowd and a packed Pinnacle Bank Arena basketball throng died quietly Sunday afternoon, June 7, 2015. Family members were with Ron Douglas, 100, in Crete, Neb., where the oldest living Husker student-athlete/football letterman spent all but three years of his life, including two in California during WWII, after graduating from the University of Nebraska.

An avid golfer and hunter, Douglas was a respected member of the community. From 1943 to 1990, the halfback/punter for the Huskers in the 1930s worked full time at Crete's Douglas Manufacturing Corporation. He was the president of the family business, just like he presided over the Crete Rotary Club, the Crete Jaycees, the Crete School Board, and Crete’s College Heights Country Club, where he was a member from 1950 until this year. His two sons, Ron Jr., and Roger, told me last fall that their dad was a rare golfer who could shoot below his age, having proven that incredible fact every year from age 84 through 97.

Survived also by two daughters-in-law, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, Ron Douglas Sr.’s roots were so deeply anchored in his family and in his hometown that it was really never a big deal that he was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1995. One of his fondest memories was the Huskers’ 28-6 win over the University of Chicago in 1935. It was memorable because Nebraska found a way to slow Jay Berwanger in a game where College Football Hall of Fame Coach Dana Bible’s Huskers “schemed” to stop college football’s brightest star. Berwanger went on to win the first Heisman Trophy ever presented in 1935.

Two Big Red Standing Ovations Came Less than Six Months Apart

Ron Douglas Sr. (pictured above with Nebraska Head Football Coach Mike Riley at Pinnacle Bank Arena) was 20 years old when he played against Berwanger. In my mind, you need a time tunnel to paint a true portrait of how significant it is for one of college football’s most storied programs to lose a letterman who experienced two iconic moments when he was still 99 years old – a well deserved standing ovation from more than 90,000 Husker fans who honored him on the field at the Nebraska-Minnesota football game and then again last March before more than 15,000 fans at the Nebraska-Maryland basketball game.

The inherent beauty during both special moments was a vibrant 99-year-old showing his appreciation to the athletic program he loved so dearly, and sold-out crowds demonstrating equally compelling affection for him. One gauge to measure the magnificence that Ron Douglas Sr. represented was Huskers.com posting this N-Sider blog on Facebook, where it accumulated 7,974 “likes” and was deemed worthy of being shared 521 times. Yes, social media buzzed while embracing and honoring Ron Douglas Sr.'s personal, humble countdown to 100.

Barb Nemac-Larson said “when they announced him at the game, I got a lump in my throat. It was so neat!” Randy Bennett located a 1936 Nebraska Yearbook so he could find what “this young man” looked like 79 years earlier. Karen Keyes-Tesch said Ron Sr. is “what Nebraska football is all about.” Bill Bryant boiled the essence of Ron Douglas Sr. to one word – “Awesome” with a Capital A. Mark McLauglin must have agreed because he used the same word before coming to a simple conclusion. “I’m glad I was there!” he said. “I enjoyed that moment more than the game!!”  Emily Munster said “stuff like this makes me so proud to be a Husker!” Vicki Peterson Ferguson was hard-pressed to find anyone more worthy of a standing ovation. “It sent chills down my spine," she said. "What a great guy!” In a quick scan of other comments, Douglas was described as a gentleman, an inspiration and a true hero. Introducing a 99-year-old letterwinner was the highlight of the first-ever game that Tammy Huffacre Moretz had the privilege to see inside Memorial Stadium. “A great moment I will never forget,” she said.

Born During an Age That Featured Victrolas and Silent Movies 

On Facebook, David E. Campbell said “I hope we all get to see Ron Douglas Sr. next year!” Unfortunately, that dream will not be realized, but Husker Nation can continue to honor Douglas through a quick history lesson about the world into which he came. In 1915, pianos and Victrolas were the most popular entertainment inside American homes. Silent movies were just beginning. The ultimate throwback in 1915 created the most popular technology – AT&T’s first-ever transcontinental telephone call. Imagine that.

The power of social media helped Big Red Nation take a stroll back and get a meaningful glimpse of Ron Douglas Sr., the man, the life and the legend who lived, loved and laughed his way through an entire century. A private burial was held Wednesday morning in Crete. Services were held at United Church of Christ-First Congregational Church. A celebration lunch followed in fellowship hall to honor a 100-year-old man who has been uniquely celebrated in social media. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

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Voices from Husker Nation

What a terrific article on Ron Douglas (pictured above). I have known and worked with the Douglas family my entire life and can honestly say I have never met more of a gentleman than Ron was. From the 9:30 morning coffee sessions to the endless hours discussing history, I will hold Ron in my heart forever. You will never meet a more honest, caring, and supportive person. Ron always made you feel that you should be the one the conversation is about. When I would ask Ron how he was doing, he would almost always say: "I'm doing well. How are you and your family doing?" I was fortunate enough to visit with Ron shortly before his passing. Like him, I've lived in Crete all my life, and our families were blessed to be neighbors. I will miss those 9:30 coffee times without Ron, but will remember all those memories we shared! I wish Ron and his wife Jean nothing but happiness now that they're together again with the Lord Almighty. Rest In Peace, my friend!Respectfully, Tim Smejdir, Crete, Nebraska

I really liked the column on Ron Douglas. It reminded me of hanging out with my great grandfatherr, who was born in 1889. When he died, he owned a cell phone and was still driving a car, neither of which existed at his birth. It is a wonderful world! Dan Floyd, Lincoln, Nebraska

Yes, it was a cool moment when Ron Sr. was introduced in Memorial Stadium. By his hearty acknowledgement of the ovation, I would have expected him to be around a long time yet. RIP. Chuck Sinclair, Lincoln, Nebraska

Thanks for a great article on Mr. Douglas and chronicling our deep Husker history. Wish my father, Dick Regier (1948-51 player), was still alive to enjoy articles like this one. David Regier, Fort Worth, Texas