George Douglas Foreman

George Douglas Foreman

April 8, 1936 - August 2, 2026

Douglas was born the fifth of ten children in Tysonville, Alabama. While he was still in grammar school, his family relocated to Opelika, Alabama. During his junior high school years, Doug discovered a lifelong love of music. His passion led him to play the baritone, sing in the glee club, a male quartet, and the church choir, and even conduct a boys' intermediate choir.

Before graduating from Clift High School, he felt God’s call to the ministry of music. After graduation in 1955 he attended Samford University in Birmingham Alabama where he earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in1959. July 21, 1959, he married Patricia “Patsy” Gilbert. In 1962, Doug received his Master of Music degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Doug and Patsy faithfully served in several churches throughout Florida, including Pensacola and Jacksonville. In 1966, they relocated to Ocala, where Doug served as Minister of Music and Youth at Highland Baptist Church until 1981. After leaving full-time ministry, he founded Doug Foreman Construction Company, which he operated until 1991. He then began a third career in education, teaching Construction and Manufacturing/ Technology at North Marion Middle School for ten years.

Even in retirement, Doug's love for music and ministry never faded. He remained active with his gospel music group, Sounds of Praise, presenting programs for the "Forever Young" group at First Baptist Church and at neighboring churches throughout the area.

Doug was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia “Patsy” Gilbert, his parents, Henry Houston and Mary Myrtle Foreman. Siblings: Howard Foreman, Myrlene Gray, Byron Foreman, and Wendy Simmons.

He is remembered by his daughter, Mary Hanks (Scott); son, Jeff Foreman (Tania); and grandchildren: Peter Lawton (Gloria), Sara Giessen (Casey), Jonathan Hanks, Abigail Foreman, and Andrew Foreman. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren—Samantha Lawton, Rhodes and Jude Giessen, and Ryleigh and Levi Hanks. He is also survived by his siblings: Elna Brown, Paity Wallace, Tim Foreman (June), Ted Foreman (Chrys), and Luther Foreman (Charlotte) – as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

Doug will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his gift of music, his dedication to his family, and the countless lives he touched through ministry, education, and friendship. His legacy of serving the Lord with humility, joy, and compassion will continue to inspire all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Worship Center at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL 34471. A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Highland Memorial Park, 1515 NE 3rd Street, Ocala, FL 34470.