MANSFIELD — Doug Theaker has spent a lifetime on the move, making his mark in education, veterans services and more.
Attending a veterans service on Memorial Day means listening to a powerful speech from Theaker, as he offers a reverent perspective on the life of those in uniform. It’s a service he delivers annually, and it comes across sincerely, and with passion.
That’s because it’s the life Doug was born into.
His father, Bill, was a World War II veteran who served in the South Pacific. He was Doug’s hero. So, upon his 1954 graduation from Madison, Doug joined the U.S. Navy and served most of his at-sea time on a minesweeper as an engineman third class.
His service took him to South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, California, Cuba and South America. After he left active duty, the military was sewn strong into his soul.
“His dedication to veterans has been outstanding ever since he’s left the Navy in the Korean War conflict, and he has always worked for veterans,” said Richland County Veterans Service Commission Executive Director Ken Estep.
When he was discharged in 1957, Doug took advantage of the G.I. Bill and enrolled at then-Ashland College. He earned a Social Studies degree in 1960 and began a 10-year career as an American history teacher at Ontario.
While holding down that position, Doug also earned a master’s degree in educational supervision from the University of Akron in 1969.
He moved on to become a teacher at Pioneer Career and Technology Center and retired from there in 1988.
Doug worked for 17 years at Richland County Job and Family Services and became director of the agency.
He devoted 30 years to serving on boards of education including the Ohio School Board Association, the Ontario Board of Education and the Pioneer Career and Technology Board of Education.
Doug became the longest serving member of the Richland County Veterans Service Commission – a span that began in 1983.
He remained active in every military post in Richland County: AMVETS 26 and 31 for 40 years, KWVA Chapter 51 for 20 years and serves as president, Richland County Joint Veterans Council for 30 years and is past-president, and American Legion Post 16 for 20 years.
For more than 20 years, he has helped raise the flags at the Richland County Courthouse and he has attended every Memorial Day Parade since he returned from the Navy. Doug also served as the Memorial Day Grand Marshal. He was involved in United Way, Boy Scouts Council, Kiwanis, and for more than 25 years hosted the WMFD Rehab Telethon fundraiser.
In 2018, he was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.
In 2023, Doug was presented with the Ohio School Boards Association 50-year Veteran Award at the association’s Capital Conference on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. The 50-year Veteran Award is given to school board members in recognition of 50 years of service.
Of more than 3,400 board members in Ohio, only three received this honor in 2023.
“I am most appreciative for this honor and being recognized for 50 years of service as a board member in public education,” Theaker said. “My education started in first grade in a one-room school in rural Madison Township.
“After two college degrees and 50 years of service, I’m proud to say I am still serving young people and hopefully bettering their education.”