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Douglas MacPherson Obituary

And the bugs rejoiced. A man known throughout the state as a leader in the pest control industry has died. Douglas Richard MacPherson, (our beloved Gock), died Thursday, January 14, 2021, of complications from COVID-19. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joanna Penn MacPherson and his daughters, Laura Simpson (Floyd); Traci MacPherson and Kelly Johannessen (Bob); grandchildren, Jeremy Clark (Julie), James Clark (Natalie), Alex Day (Danielle), Suzanne Otwell (Travis), Andrew Jones, Rob and Anna Johannessen; and 8 great-grandchildren. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, on January 12, 1932, the only child of Anna and Sandy MacPherson. He attended The Ohio State University for two years before joining the U.S. Army and entering the Korean War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He graduated from Ohio State in 1955 and married his college sweetheart, Joanna two days later. He earned his Master's of Entomology in 1956, also from Ohio State. They began their family and moved to Baton Rouge via Huntington, W.Va., Meridian, Miss., and Tupelo, Miss. Doug made a big impact on the pest control industry, in which he worked over 60 years. He owned and operated Dugas Pest Control from 1973 to 2003. He served as President of the La. Pest Control Assn. (1971), President of the National Pest Control Assn. (1979-80), as well as President of Associated Pest Control (1993-94). He was inducted into the Marketing Managers Assn. (2008) and received the La. Pest Management Assn. Award of Excellence (2012). In 1986, he was one of the founders of LIPCA, Inc., an insurance company for the pest control industry, from which he retired in 2019. He was President of Metropolitan Kiwanis of Baton Rouge (1981-82), Lt. Gov. of Kiwanis Int'l. (1987-88), and was active in Tipmasters. He loved to eat in good (bug-free) restaurants and drink good wine. His favorite pastimes were his monthly supper club (since 1986), traveling the world with Joanna and listening to audio books. He loved a good joke, and even though he was loyal to his Ohio State Buckeyes, he was an avid fan of LSU football. Friends and family are invited to attend a socially distanced memorial service for Doug on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, where he was a member since 1994, at 930 North Blvd. in Baton Rouge. The service will be available online: request the link by emailing [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge (www.firstmethodist.org) or The Pest Management Foundation (www.npmapestworld.org/foundation). Gock was the patriarch of the MacPherson family and was loved and respected by all. We will miss him dearly; the bugs, not so much.

Published by The Advocate from Jan. 14 to Jan. 16, 2021.
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Memories and Condolences
for Douglas MacPherson

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So very sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. My prayers are with each of you during this sad time. With God’s love and guidance there will be brighter days. Blessings to each.

Tina Lamb

Friend

January 19, 2021

His smile lit up the entire room he was in, and as a child I remember his vibrant laughter throughout the house. I will miss him dearly.

Karen Fontenot

January 17, 2021

Robert and I share in your loss, and we are sending our love to all of you during this difficult time. Your family has been part of our family and we have many happy memories of time together.

Janice and Robert Day

Family

January 16, 2021

Jed D'Arensbourg

January 15, 2021

I’m sorry to hear about Doug. We’re thinking of you and your family.

Eric and Erin Lunsford.

Erin Lunsford

Friend

January 15, 2021

Kelly, I was so very sad to learn of your dad's passing. I know yours is a family of strong faith, and I pray for God's grace and comfort to cover you, your mama and your entire family.

Evey

January 15, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Kevin Rome

January 15, 2021

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Douglas A Hillensbeck

Friend

January 15, 2021

Joanna, May God's comforting and healing strength surround you and your family as you mourn the passing of Doug. Love and peace to you, Lynda Butler

Lynda Butler

Friend

January 14, 2021

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Memorial Events
for Douglas MacPherson

Jan

16

Memorial service

1:30 p.m.

First United Methodist Church

930 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA

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