Douglas Wayne Dandridge
Douglas Dandridge, 71, of Grand Prairie, passed away on June 24, 2020. A funeral service for Doug will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2020, in the Melton- Kitchens Funeral Home Chapel of Memories with Fr. Diaz officiating. A burial will follow at the family’s ranch in Ranger under the direction of Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home.
Douglas Wayne Dandridge was born on May 20, 1949, to Hazel Davis in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in Grand Prairie and was proud to be a Shady Grover. Doug was drafted into the Marines in 1969 at the age of 17 and served in Vietnam for two years. He met Judy in 1976, and they were married. They had two children: Emily in 1981 and Bret in 1985. He lived a full life and enjoyed the outdoors and his family. He was welcoming to everyone and loved to talk about hunting to anyone who would listen. This made him well-loved by his nephews and grandsons. He was known to be funny and sarcastic and had a laugh that could be recognized a mile away. He talked a lot about his love of the outdoors and love for his country to his family. He was a true American patriot and believed fiercely in the American dream. He loved his family more than life, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them. In the last few months, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren play on their ranch in Ranger; and nothing brought him more joy then seeing them love the outdoors just as much as he did.
Doug leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Judy; his son Bret Dandridge and his wife Morgan of Grand Prairie; and daughter Emily Valdez and her husband Joe of Argyle. He also leaves behind his most precious grandchildren and godchildren: Jeffery, Jacob, Aeron, Grace, Ruby, Peyton, Gracie, Piper, Mia, Mason, Evelyn, and Ava. He also has one great-godchild, Carter. He leaves behind his brother Jim Nelms and his wife Gerri Nelms of Granbury; mother-in-law Merlene Smith; brothers-in-law Charley Smith, Greg Smith, Larry Stefka, David Smith and Ron Meine; and sisters-in-law Mary Lou Smith, Barbara Holder, Lisa Stefka, Ida Smith and Pam Meine; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel Moore, and his brother, Mike Dandridge.
In lieu of flowers, Doug would appreciate a donation to the Mike Rowe Works Foundation. Condolences can be left online at meltonkitchens.com.
