Doug Warren, WMCC Doug

[ktl711]

I would ask if any other's here have a unique or special story of Doug that if you could take the time to post it up, it would be very much appreciated.

The very first thing I thought of was this:

Jeff, you hit the nail on the head!

I first knew of Doug through the forums here at MiFBody.com, and for about the first year and a half of my tenure here, I only knew him through his posts like this one. I think I had also once posted up something about what type of finish to use on a Berger-style tail panel, gloss vs. flat vs. satin. I think he told me that the actual Berger finish was a satin semi-gloss, but his guidance also came with a small warning that I shouldn't try to pass my car off as a true Berger Camaro. I was almost afraid to meet him at that point because I thought he would be one of those total stickler types that almost takes all the joy out of the hobby.

Well, I finally met him at this year's Meet & Greet, and of course, my fears could not have been farther from the truth. Oh, there was no doubt that he had a definite sense of what was right and what was wrong when it came to details on a Camaro, but he could not have been a more gentle, welcoming, open, and kind person.

The last time I talked to Doug was on the day of the F-Bodies at the Barns event. That's where I snapped that picture of him with the Synergy Green Berger SS Camaro. It was only the second time we'd met, and yet we shared a fairly deep and personal conversation about health, etc., that I would usually only have with old friends who I have known for many years.

I really regret that I won't be having any more of those kind of conversations with him, at least not in this life.

It's going to be a poorer world without him.

[Phantom409]

Doug and a few others were a great help last year as we started the WMFC club.
I can't tell you how many times he just sat with us and talked about how WMCC got it's start and how it grew and shrunk and then grew again.
He was a man with open arms who would listen to you at any time no matter what.
The last time I saw Doug was at the Gilmore car museum in Sept. with that amazing green Camaro.
When it started to rain we all went up to the garage and like always Doug was telling stories about his travels with WMCC and life.

[sman]

I've received a couple donations for flowers so far, if anyone else wanted to donate towards buying an arrangement for the viewing, please either PM me or paypal directly to paypal@mifbody.com. I plan to order the flowers this afternoon.

Check your paypal. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.

[Old Fart]

Emily just sent me a text about this. Shocked doesn't even begin to cover it. I remember calling Doug several years ago for info about the WMCC. He talked me into joining. I shall always remember him as a very friendly, extremely nice guy. Sincere condolences to his family.

[Faame06]

Wow, my heart goes out to his family. This is a very hard time of year to lose a loved one. I just want to say, even though I never met him he was very nice to me the couple times he sent me info about the WMCC. Rest in Peace, Doug.

[93formulalt1]

I remember a couple times at Camaro Superfest over the last few years, Doug came up to help "inform" us of some of the minor flaws that are so common on restored Camaros, both when I judged 1st gens and 2nd gens. He knew EVERY detail about Camaros, and could spot a flaw from a mile away, even if it was something as simple as an incorrect emblem (red/white/blue instead of black on a 2nd gen of a certain year, for example) but he was one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. I remember talking to him for a little while at the Berger show last year while I was on leave from the Army, and again, he talked to me like we had known each other closely for years. We talked about cars, the history of Berger Chevrolet, and some of the other shows he'd been to, as well as a little bit about politics and the war.

Doug was an asset here. I will miss seeing him post, and going to car shows and not seeing him there is going to be hard.


I agree with the "saved" parking space at shows next year, that would be another fitting tribute.

[ezcruisn71]

I have not been on the site in a while. I heard about this from Brian's email.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Doug Warren in person.
I just started going to Car Shows and Cruises a few years ago.
I wish I could have met him he sounded like a wonderful person.
I enjoyed his Posts and Replies on this web site.
He seemed like a very knowledgeable person.
My Prayers and thoughts go out to his family.

There are very few things in life that are harder to face than the sudden death of someone you care about.
I know that all to well. I have lost a lot of Friends and Realatives already in my lifetime.
The shock of hearing that it actually can happen to someone close to you can make you feel pretty vulnerable yourself.
Just a few month's ago I lost my Cousin who was 52 years old. He had a sudden heart attack and died instantly.
You have to enjoy the time you are here on Earth because you might not be here tomorrow!


May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

[phoenix_rising]

RIP Doug. Doug was an inspiration to me and many other Michigan Firebird Club folks. He was always very generous and good spirited. If it were not for Doug we would have never become involved with the Camaro Superfest nor had any of the treasured memories from those events. Thank you Doug for being yourself.

Our prayers go out to the family and all of the Dougs friends in the WMCC. I hope they follow his example and keep inspiring future generations of automotive enthusiasts as Doug did.

[GETGONE]

If anyone is planning to attend the visitation and/or funeral, here is some hotel information sent out by club member Carl Lins:

All,
Here are 2 hotels in the area.
When calling to the hotel mention Western Michigan Camaro Club to receive the best rate at both hotels

There are a couple of options for hotels in the area.
OPTION 1
Limited restaurants around the hotel and will range from $79.00- $89.00 a night (10 rooms or more/AAA/ARP rate)
Closet to the Funeral home within 2-3 miles
Hampton Inn:
755 54th Street SW
Wyoming MI 49509
616-261-5500

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/...y hocn=GRRSOHX

I have a call into the hotel to try and negotiate a better rate but have been waiting for 2 hours so far. I will pass the info on when I receive.
Option 2
Approximately 4.8 miles away however restaurants available close to the airport and a newer hotel. Rates will be from $66.46-149.00
Holiday inn:
3063 Lake Eastbrook
Kentwood, MI 49512
616-285-7600
Reservation Manager: Kay
http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us...rpd/hoteldetail

[FireBirdGirl02]

I reserved me and Brians room at the Holiday Inn.

[OIF1VET]

What visitation are most people planning on attending.. Heard most WMFC peeps were going to the 7 o'clock visitation..

[Formula Z]

Very crazy to hear this. I kept seeing it on facebook and such and kept thinking it was someone completely different. Earlier today I recieved a text that made me realize who it actually was and I was stunned. Could not believe it. Still cant. I first met Doug almost 5 yrs ago when I was invited by Wade (GETGONE) and Rick Baker, to a small car show near Croton Hardy Dam at a VFW Post. It was a WMCC thing but I showed up with my Formula at my first car show and was even asked to park with the Camaros. Even got a free show shirt for being with the Camaro club. It was the first time I met Doug and even though I felt out of place with the only Firebird parked with the Camaros, Doug approached me, introduced himself, and welcomed me. We talked for a little bit, he put me at ease, and by the time we made our seperate ways, I felt like we were good friends. Even though we had only ran into each other only a handful of times since then, everytime we did, he remembered my name, which is one of the coolest things I remember about him. It made me feel like he wasnt fake and was truly sincere. My wife only met him once, yet she knows exactly who I was speaking about when I told her today. He will be missed greatly by me. Cars aside, he was a great guy in many ways. My thoughts go out to his family and the people who are grateful enough to have been able to know him much better then I did. Wishing I would have gone out of my way to talk just a little longer with the guy. Rest In Peace Doug.

I also want to thank the MIfbody members who have made this site more then just a car forum. Ive said it from the beginning, Mifbody is home and these people here are family. Ill see those of you who will be attending the viewing Sunday night at 7pm

[ICEPICK]

The very first thing I thought of was this:

you know you poped up the pic, last sat i was out looking for the wife a christmas gift, i came across a place here in bay city with old cars for sale, well that car was there and i was looking at it. with no idea of who started it i just looked and said to myself......... they want alot of money for a car thats not done.. who'd a thunk it, he touched me with a thought on a car i it stuck with a simple pic!



guess i can say... thank you sir!!!!!

[meissen]

What visitation are most people planning on attending.. Heard most WMFC peeps were going to the 7 o'clock visitation..

I'm not sure how early we're going to be getting into town, but Angie and I will be at the 7pm one at the least I'm sure. Are a lot of people here planning on going to the funeral service on Monday too? Angie felt kinda awkward about going to the funeral as she feels it's more of a family thing so obviously we don't want to intrude on Doug's family, but if many of the club is going to be at the funeral too we'll definitely tag along.

[Formula Z]

i cant get the time off work, even had an aunt pass away last week and couldnt make the funeral. im hoping that someone may put together some kind of rememberance cruise for doug. would be cool to get a bunch of cars together to show our respect for him next summer. if it would be warm out now im sure we would be doing it