Thomas Edwin Douglas,

Thomas Edwin Douglas, Jr., Memphis Attorney, United States Army Colonel, and talented Jazz Musician, passed away at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville on Veterans Day, Tuesday November 11, after suffering several years from Alzheimers disease. He was 83. Tom, or “T.D.” as many of his musician friends called him, was the only child born to Mr. T. E. Douglas Sr. and Kathleen Taylor Douglas on August 13, 1925 in West Point, Miss. His musical talents on the Saxophone and Clarinet led him to play in several Big Band Orchestras during high school and then during college at Mississippi State. After graduation, he took a train to Chicago to pursue studying under renowned jazz instructors, while working as a bellhop at the Stevens Hotel. For a time, he played with legendary band leader Tommy Dorsey. He would often refer to these years and some of his best. He returned to Mississippi to pursue his law degree at the University Of Mississippi School Of Law, where he received his Bachelor of Laws and Juries Doctor Degrees. He was the Associate Editor for the Mississippi Law Journal and completed three years of graduate study in two years. He was called to wartime during the Korean War in 1951, where he served with the Third Infantry Division. He continued to serve as Ready Reservist after his release from active duty, and was eventually promoted to rank of Colonel in 1975. He was honored with many medals and honors by his retirement in 1979 after serving for 27 years. Tom was a retired Attorney and Trial Practitioner/Corporate Council in Memphis for over 33 years. He was a very active member of the Republican Party in Memphis and Tennessee, a 25 year member of the Sons of the American Revolution, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Third Infantry Division, and the Military Order of the World Wars where he served as National Judge Advocate for six years and was awarded the National Commanders Certificate. He was on the Board of Directors for the Mid-South Fair for over 20 years, past President for the Raleigh Kiwanis Club, a member of the Memphis Scottish Society, was legal council for Local 71 of the American Federation of Musicians, and a member of the American Bar Association. He leaves behind his wife, Angelina Ann Douglas of Cordova, TN. and three children- Lydia Douglas-Henderson, Ben Douglas and Scott Douglas of Brentwood, TN., as well as three grandchildren- Lauren Henderson, Dylan Douglas and Ethan Douglas. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday November 22 at 2pm in Memphis at Hope Presbyterian Church on Walnut Grove Road in the Chapel, and a gathering of family and friends will follow afterwards. His burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Alexandria, Va. The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimers Association.

Thomas Edwin Douglas,

August 13, 1925 - November 11, 2008