Douglas Eugene Strassner

Douglas Eugene Strassner, a resident of Elberta Alabama, passed away Friday, January 05, 2024, at 16:15 surrounded by his family and close friends. Doug had fought a yearlong battle with head and neck cancer that started from Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Doug was born in Akron, Ohio, on March 3, 1955. Upon graduation from high school, he attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, after an appointment from his senator. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nautical Science in 1977, and then spent the next 39 years at sea. During his maritime career, Doug progressed through the ranks, spending 20+ years as a Captain. As Captain he sailed the world – US coast, Suez Canal, Panama Canal, South Africa, Northern Europe, Middle East, making friends all over the world along the way. He transported military equipment during Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and he also spent 5 years in the Naval Reserves. In the 1980’s Doug settled down in Alabama in Mobile and then Baldwin County, where he could be close to the water. Eventually he lived in Orange Beach and then on Wolf Bay in Elberta. In Wolf Bay, Doug enjoyed spending time on his boat and sitting on the porch overlooking the water with his wife Angie and many friends who came to visit. Doug remained an avid Ohio State and Cleveland Browns fan even though he called Alabama home. Doug was a welcoming soul and made friends everywhere he went, treating them as family. His love of motorcycle riding led him to join the Southern Cruisers Riding Club, where he and his wife Angie started the Baldwin County Chapter #411 in 2016. Doug was a member of the Krewe of Mullet Mates Mardi Gras association at Point Clear and enjoyed riding the float every year. As a member of the Lillian Community Club Monday and Wednesday nights were for poker, where he was just as quick to make many friends there. Doug and Angie both volunteered with A Place of Hope Small Dog Rescue fostering dozens of dogs over the past several years. Doug never said no when Angie asked if we had room for one more. Doug was also a member of a group of retired men called the Soggy Bay Boys, who met every Wednesday to cook breakfast and drink champagne. There’s no doubt that Doug has already made friends in heaven. Doug was also a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his devoted wife Ange Jimmerson; Children - daughters Kristin (Kenny) Allison of Daphne, AL, Jenna Strassner of Bay Minette, AL, and Taylor (Josh) Smith of Daphne, AL; stepsons Matthew Mabry of Huntsville, AL, and Will (Zoe) Jimmerson of Foley, AL; 2 sisters Cynthia (Mike) Caprez of Akron, OH, and Helen (Mike) Kurtz of Redding, PA; 10 grandchildren and other relatives and close friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Gene Ellis Strassner and Janice Douglas Strassner. A Celebration of Life will held Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 2:00pm at the Lillian Community Club at 34148 Widell Avenue Lillian, Alabama. Friends and Family are encouraged to dress comfortably and to wear something that reminds them of Doug. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to A Place of Hope Small Dog Rescue in Pensacola, FL, or Mission K9 Rescue in Magnolia, TX, in honor of Douglas Strassner. Doug was a dog lover and avid supporter of these organizations.