Doug Geren

Douglas “Doug” Fredrick Geren, 66, of Cleveland died Saturday Oct. 29, 2016, at 7:20 p.m. at the Selma, Ala., home of his sister Kathy Simmons, where he had been bravely fought illness during his final days.

He was a 1968 graduate of Cleveland High School and a 1973 graduate of Middle Tennessee  State University with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He began his career at Hardwick Stove, later moving to Robert Shaw industries and was proud to have worked for Paul Tamplin at Elastic Yarns. Doug was well know as an expert leather worker, having owned the Leather Cabin and sold very unique high-quality kites on the weekends, and he could be seen often at Stuart School flying kites. His most recent job was several years with Southeastern Supply.

Doug was also a well-known boxer at the YMCA, and many challengers underestimated the quickness of his hands because of his pudgy body. His backyard football play calling was legendary, as he grew up on Harle Ave NW. A lover of all nature, Doug was an expert in many outdoor areas, including sandhill cranes migrations and the nearby Polk County mountains. He was also a whooping crane expert and worked hard to preserved their habitat. He was well known as Bad Actor on WOOP FM 99.9.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Fredrick “Ted” and Kathrine Rogers Geren of Cleveland.

He is survived by his brother, Michael “Pat” Geren of Cleveland, sister and special caregiver, Kathy Geren Simmons, and husband Andrew Simmons, IV, niece Kate Orvis, and niece Gray Griffith, all of Selma, Ala.; niece Emory Burns of Vestavia, Ala.; nephew Andrew Graydon Simmons V of Tallahassee, Fla.; and cousins Judy and Bill Chandler of Cleveland.

The body is being cremated by Lawrence Funeral home in Selma, Ala. A special wake will be held on the patio and in the fireside room at the Bald Headed Bistro from 5 until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, during which family will receive friends. Doug’s ashes will later be spread at an undisclosed secret location, per Doug’s request, by a confidential appointee. Jeff “FROdaddy” Rentfro of WOOP FM will be covering the special wake, and all friends and family are invited to attend.