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Forever in our hearts

Douglas Keith Baisey

1950
Douglas Keith Baisey
2026

June 16, 1950October 16, 2026

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Life story

Born June 16, 1950

A life remembered with love, laughter and treasured memories that will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.

Douglas Keith Baisey, 76, of Lacey, Washington, passed away on October 16, 2026.

Doug was born on June 16, 1950, in Washington State, to Keith Baisey and Elizabeth Irene Baisey.

Doug spent much of his working life in electronics. He was NEC-certified and worked as a contractor installing security systems for universities and businesses. He also put his technical knowledge to use repairing audiovisual equipment, including projectors, lighting, and sound systems.

His fascination with electronics extended well beyond his career. Doug was always taking things apart and putting them back together, whether it was a computer or just about anything electrical he could get his hands on. He loved figuring out how things worked and had an endless curiosity about science and technology.

Doug also had a passion for classic cars and hot rods, appreciated good blues music, and enjoyed anything that challenged his curiosity.

But Doug will be remembered for much more than his technical abilities. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a mischievous streak, and a talent for making people laugh. A favorite uncle, he was known for his playful antics, including turning his eyelids inside out and chasing the kids around. Those unforgettable moments became cherished family memories and were part of what made Doug so special.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Keith Baisey and Betty Roberts; his stepfather, Donald Roberts Sr.; and his brother, David Baisey.

He is survived by his daughter, Randi Lynn Salangsang; granddaughter, Amy; great-granddaughters, Amelia and Lily; brothers Randy Baisey, Karl Roberts, Donald (Bud) Roberts Jr., and Tracy Roberts; sisters Karen Roberts and Dianne Brienstein.

Doug will also be lovingly remembered by the many friends, neighbors, and members of his extended family whose lives he touched.

At Doug's request, no services will be held. His final wishes have been honored privately.

We invite family and friends to remember Doug in whatever way feels meaningful to them. If you wish, you may also leave a tribute on this website..

How he is remembered

What he was like, in one word

Words left by those who knew him.

funny1 inquisitive1 mischievous1

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Album

33 photos, 2 albums

Doug through the YearsAlbum, 25 photos
Doug through the YearsKaren-Sister
Cortney's AlbumAlbum, 8 photos
Cortney's AlbumCortney Maier

Do you have photos with him? Send one photo or a whole album, and the family will look at them before they appear.

Memories

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StoriesWe remember 7

The Homes and Little Things That Made Doug Special - Part 1

Doug was a homebody at heart. He loved his homes and took great pride in making each one comfortable and uniquely his own.

I especially remember his beautiful two-story house in Diamond Bar, California. He loved that house! One of my favorite memories was when he invited me over to experience his new big-screen television and an incredible surround sound system he had rigged together, long before home theater systems became commonplace.

We shared a love of the same music, and Doug couldn't wait to show off his creation. He put on the Eagles' Hotel California, turned up the volume and let the music fill the house. The sound was incredible! We sat there listening, with those enormous speakers practically vibrating the house. Doug was so proud of what he'd put together, and I have to admit, it was pretty impressive!

Karen, Sister

The Homes and Little Things That Made Doug Special — Part 2

Doug also loved to cook. In his backyard, he grew his own chili peppers, and I mean HOT peppers! They were yellow, and he told me he had actually crossbred them himself. I sometimes wondered if he'd created a whole new variety. He used those fiery little peppers in his homemade chili.

But one of his favorite things to make was spaghetti sauce. He made it often, and I can still remember the wonderful aroma of his sauce simmering in the kitchen. It's funny how a familiar smell can bring back such special memories.

And then there was his coffee pot!

Doug loved his coffee, but he was especially particular about his coffee maker. He absolutely refused to let anyone wash the coffee basket because he insisted the buildup added to the flavor. I discovered this the hard way during one of my visits when I innocently washed it for him. Oh, did I hear about that! He never let me forget it.

Karen

The Homes and Little Things That Made Doug Special — Part 3

When Doug eventually moved back to Lacey, Washington, he continued taking pride in his home. His apartment was carefully decorated with beautiful lamps, paintings and artwork. He spent countless hours researching and shopping online to find just the right pieces. Everything was thoughtfully chosen, and he truly enjoyed the process of making his surroundings special.

Another thing I remember fondly was Doug's love of squirrels. At nearly every home he lived in, he seemed to have a special squirrel that he would feed and give a name. Those little backyard visitors became part of his daily life.

And no matter where he lived, Doug almost always had a glass candy dish filled with treats for his guests. It was there throughout the year, not just on holidays. I suppose that was a family tradition passed down through the generations because I remember our parents always having a candy dish out, too.

These are the little things I remember most about my brother. His love of music, his inventive mind, his cooking, his carefully chosen treasures, his backyard squirrels and even that infamous coffee basket.

Doug loved being home, and he made each place his own. Looking back, I realize that some of my most treasured memories aren't of grand occasions, but of those ordinary moments spent together.

And those are the moments that still make me smile.

Karen, Sister

Shrieks and Giggles

Uncle Doug was the uncle with the best hair, the funniest one liners, the craziest antics, and the kindest heart. My uncles were always ever present in my life growing up in the Baisey/Roberts family. Every holiday was filled with a handsome group of men that I admired, some very serious, some thoughtful, all of them smart, but none as original as Doug. Sorry, Uncles. He out-witted and out-hairstyled all of you.

Uncle Doug used to love to scare the hell out of the little kids and, I think, got a big kick out of scaring me, in particular. Not only did he flip his eyelids inside out, but he also would flip his dentures upside down and show me when no one else was looking. While he might have scared away the other cousins, he made me laugh. His antics were always endearing and for some reason, his inappropriate jokes just made me love him more. It also didn't hurt that he would slip me a $50 bill when no one was looking and tell me I was his favorite.

Uncle Doug was influential in my family life as an adult, too. As Karen mentioned, Doug worked for an audio-visual company. When John, Jacob's dad, needed work, Doug was able to give John an opportunity to learn his trade. This led to John's current profession as an electrician. As Jacob grew up and became a tinkerer, himself, Doug took a liking to him and would email me a list of questions and suggestions for Jacob as he explored technology and mechanics. He even sent Jacob his own tools that he could no longer use due his disability so that Jacob could work on computers here at home. Although he could not leave Washington for a visit, he always made sure that Jacob knew he was loved and admired from afar.

I wish that I could have spent more time with him before he passed but I am grateful for the memories that I have of him, his incredible sense of humor, his mischievous ways, and his dedication to my family. Thank you, Doug, for being such an original.

Cortney Maier, Niece

Doug was a coconut

My uncle had a magnificent mustache, a great head of hair, and that naturally rugged, rough and tumble look. He had the kind of rugged charm that made him seem like a man who’d lived a full life, wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, and could weather just about any storm... But beneath that rugged exterior was a gentle soul and a heart of gold.. He practiced kindness in secret. He would slip me money when no one was looking and surprise the hell out of me with his generosity. I once went up with grandma and grandpa to visit Doug at his house in Redding. He had a “pet” squirrel I think he named him Rocky. Every day he would call me in and tell me to sit at the bar and watch…. He would lay out a red baseball cap and hide nuts underneath it. He would call his little friend in the house and I would watch as that little squirrel would turn over the hat and find his treats hidden in various places. I didn’t think of it as anything other than entertaining back then… Now I realize the time and effort he must’ve spent with that little creature to teach him those tricks. He was heartbroken when it passed away. Another fond memory I have is Doug visiting us during Saxon’s first birthday. As he watched Saxon dive face first into his cake ( frosting everywhere) he had the most joyful look on his face. I remember perfectly because I had never seen a bigger smile on my Uncle Doug’s face. He didn’t smile like that often. His smiles were often quick, and related to a joke he told ..but I could tell that in that moment, he was really happy to be there.
. As I visited Uncle Doug with my mom over the past few years I would always ask him about his little trinkets and he loved sharing stories with me about how he acquired them or how they worked.. The last time I visited him as we were getting ready to leave and my mom slipped in to use the restroom before the long drive home he told me my mom was his favorite person… besides grandma he said .. lol

That he appreciated her caring for him, and he always knew that she loved him. He said that, although he didn’t have the same relationship with God that my mom did, he appreciated her prayers, and he felt them.
I don’t know why he chose to tell me that at that moment but I could tell he meant it. And it touched my heart. I hope he is up with grandma and grandpa right now, reunited in health, love and peace.

Autumn, Niece

Coffee

I will never forget him waking up in the middle of the night to make a pot of coffee, drink it, and then go back to sleep

John Maier, Nephew by marriage

Random ramblings

I remember growing up in a mine-yours-ours household of kids and young adults bonded together by the love, determination and mutual commitment of my Mom and Dad. I used to think of Don, me and Tracy as “the little guys” - and was in awe of, and honestly a little intimidated by (or in abject fear of) “the big guys” - our older brothers Randy and Doug (10 and 8 years older than me, respectively) - and happy to be loved on and mothered by our sisters Dianne and Karen.
In a family of unique individuals, Doug was perhaps the most unique - funny, boisterous, frightening (at times), ruggedly handsome, smelling of cigarettes, sometimes temperamental, argumentative and often enigmatic. When I was really little, I just tried to steer clear of Doug - the eyelid flip chases were random, terrifying and probably spoiled me for horror movies for good. I was sure one of those times he was going to pull out one of his own eyes and put it back in upside down or backwards just to see if he could make me die from fright. I always wondered, how did he think to do that in the first place and how did his eyes not fall right out of his head?!? I have vague other memories of firecrackers and crickets, loud music and loud cars, wicked-smart comments with a twist followed by cackling laughter. I was both mesmerized and frightened by him - then there was a sudden shift in energy after he married young and moved out when I was 8 or 9 years old and suddenly home life was calmer and more predictable, if less entertaining.
We moved to California and then there were long gaps between his visits. Our interactions were rare, but I always found them entertaining and interesting. I remember how deeply he loved and respected Mom in particular, a seemingly tough, street-wise man but a momma’s boy at heart. Memories after that are hazy, infrequent visits here and there that always left me with the sense that Doug was smarter than I was - his mind always working and coming up with unique takes (okay, and sometimes foil-capped conspiracy theories) on things that, in turn, really made me think. I’ve adapted over time to out-of-the-box thinking, but for Doug there never seemed to be a box in the first place. Some of you may know that I studied engineering in college, which always felt like a forced fit to me as it didn’t really come naturally to me. Doug’s mind was wired for wanting to understand and master how everything worked - he really should have been the one to go to engineering school, but then I can’t imagine him actually sitting through long classroom sessions - he always wanted to be actually doing something instead, not just learning about it.
My next memories of Doug were after Mom had passed and he came to stay at Dad’s and the house morphed into more of a bachelor pad. I dropped by once to check in on them and chuckled when I opened the fridge to find mostly beer and little else. We had long talks on some of those visits, when he would want to pick my brain o

Karl Roberts, Younger brother

What he taught usWhat remains 1

What Doug Taught Me

Doug taught me that we're never too old to be curious or to learn something new. He had a natural desire to understand how things worked and wasn't afraid to experiment, figure things out for himself or do things a little differently. His curiosity and inventive mind were qualities I always admired.

One of the things Doug personally taught me was how to shoot. He was a member of the NRA and would help me practice target shooting in our backyard. With his guidance, I became a pretty good shot! Looking back, I treasure those times together. It wasn't just about learning to shoot, but about having a big brother who took the time to teach his little sister something he enjoyed.

Doug also reminded me that happiness could be found in life's simple pleasures. He appreciated the comforts of home, enjoyed his many interests and found satisfaction in doing things his own way.

As I look back on our years together, I realize that some of the most valuable lessons we learn from the people we love aren't necessarily taught through words, but through the way they live their lives. Those are the lessons and memories I will always carry with me.

Karen, Sister

His wordsSayings 1
„Things Doug Used to Say“

Whenever I asked Doug how he was doing, he'd often reply, "I'm on this side of the grass!" He told me he got that saying from our Uncle Warren. It always made me smile, and I love knowing that a little piece of Uncle Warren's humor lived on through Doug. Doug had a wonderful sense of humor, and I know there were many other funny things he used to say. I hope family and friends will share the expressions and sayings they remember, too. Sometimes the simplest words bring back the sweetest memories, especially when you can still hear that familiar voice saying them.

Karen, Sister
Songs he lovedMusic 1

House of the Rising Sun -

Doug's band won the Battle of the Bands with this song when we lived on Muck-Kapowsin (Now 224th) in Spanaway, Washington. Our house was so tiny that the drums had to be set up in the kitchen. He played this alot and reminds me of Doug every time I hear it.

Karen, Sister

Places he lovedHis places 1

Hicks Lake — Lacey, Washington

Hicks Lake holds so many wonderful memories of our childhood. It's where we spent time with family and friends, attended church camp at Gwinwood and enjoyed many family and church picnics.

Doug loved reminiscing about those days. He would tell me stories about hauling Uncle Warren's boat through the field near his house and down to Hicks Lake. That field is gone now, but the memories remain.

What makes this place even more special is that Doug's life eventually brought him full circle. He moved right back to the same neighborhood where we grew up, with my old elementary school just down the street.

There's something comforting about knowing that, after all those years, Doug found his way back to a place that held so much of our childhood.

Karen, Sister

Messages

1 message

Karen RobertsSister, 4 days ago

To My Brother Doug,

It's hard to believe you're gone. So many memories keep coming back to me, especially our childhood in Washington, the laughter we shared and all those little moments that meant so much.

I wish I could pick up the phone and talk to you one more time, hear your familiar voice and ask how you're doing. I can almost hear you answering, "I'm on this side of the grass!"

You always had a way of making me laugh, and I'll miss your humor, your curiosity and those conversations that only a brother and sister can share.

I'm so grateful for the memories we made throughout our lives. Some make me laugh, others bring tears, but every one of them is precious to me.

I wish we'd had more time together, Doug. There are so many things I would still love to talk about, but I'm thankful for the years we had and the memories that will always connect us.

You'll always be my big brother, and I'll always be your little sister.

I love you, Doug. Until we meet again.

**Love, your sister, Karen**

A light in memory

4 candles are burning

Light a candle on the anniversary, on his birthday, or whenever you think of him.

Redlands1Hawaii1Fontana, CA1
  • John Redlands, 2 days ago
  • Randi Hawaii, 3 days ago

    Candle burns in Honor of a Father & Daughter bond that will last forever❤️

  • Cortney, his niece Fontana, CA, 4 days ago

    A candle for your laugh and the joy you brought to others

  • Karen Roberts 4 days ago

    This candle burns in loving memory of you, Doug. Till we meet again. ❤️

Scroll the list to see everyone, 4 in all.