Douglas Irving Millage

On Sunday, October 22nd, 2023, Douglas Irving Millage passed from this earth and was greeted warmly in heaven by his mom Dorothy, dad Lou, grandma Laura, and baby brother Roger. Known as Doug to most, but those closest to him called him Poppa. Doug was 74 at the time of his passing.

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 30th, 2023, at Christy-Smith Funeral Home-Larkin Chapel, 2320 Outer Drive North, Sioux City, IA. Burial will follow with full military honors at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery, 6605 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, IA.

Doug was born May 28th, 1949, in Spokane, WA, to Louis and Dorothy Millage. He grew up in Leeds neighborhood in Sioux City, Iowa. Doug was so proud of the fact that he grew up in Leeds, graduating from Leeds High School in 1968. He loved to reminisce about his friends growing up, as well as earning All-State Football Honors. In March of 1969, Doug entered basic training with the US Marine Corps in San Diego, CA. He was quickly deployed to Vietnam, where he fought proudly for his country on the front lines. This period of time wasn't something that he spoke of until recent years. He was enormously proud of his commitment to the Marines and our country. During his deployment, he had prolonged exposure to Agent Orange, which caused nerve damage, severe diabetes, and, most recently, vascular dementia, ultimately causing 100% disability by 2012. He passed away a proud Marine despite the disabilities he lived with for so many years.

There were very few people around Sioux City who didn't know Doug. He loved people! Especially those that needed help. He worked for the Sioux City Transit system for 25 years until his disabilities forced him into retirement in 2012. He loved being known as Doug, "the bus driver," and he was immensely loved by those individuals that he transported for years. He always had a joke or a witty remark when he greeted anyone. It wasn't unheard of for him to give personal rides after hours to people who had missed their last bus for the day.

In addition to his service time and employment with the city, Doug volunteered for years in various coaching positions. Most fondly as a football coach with the Sioux City Boys Club. Doug was a lover of almost all sports, maybe even doing a little gambling on them throughout the years. He was an avid golfer, and when his disabilities took that away from him, he became enthralled in horse racing. If he wasn't watching the races, he was all about watching old westerns, Colts football, Cubbies baseball, and most recently, he was obsessed with the series Monk.

In 1972, Doug met the love of his life riding his motorcycle on "the loop," but God had different plans and actually brought them back together ten years later. On December 2nd, 1984, Doug married Terese Golliday in Sioux City. He was blessed with two bonus children whom he loved very much. Doug was incredibly proud of his Nick and Tasha, but even prouder of the grandchildren he and Terese had later in their marriage. He bragged about his grandbabies at every opportunity possible. He would lovingly refer to his grandbabies as they became adults: Lizzy "the lawyer," Kobe "the smartest one," Hallie "the dog whisperer," and Breanna "the nurse."

There was no greater love than what Doug and Terese had. Terese became his full-time caregiver and selflessly cared for him for the last 11 years of his life. There wasn't a day that he didn't tell her how much he loved her and, of course, asked, "you're not driving anymore, right?"

Doug is survived by "his Honey," Terese Millage; his children, stepdaughter Natasha(Dale) Adams, stepson Nicholas Dicus; grandchildren, Ashley(Jason) Baxley, Alizabeth Adams, Kobe Dicus, Hallie Dicus, and Breanna Dicus; his brothers, Stan(Roxanne) Millage, Mark Millage. Lifelong best friend, Jim Busker, who selflessly visited him weekly up until the very end. Sister In Laws, Jackie(Gary) Goodrich, Julie(Bill) Hansen, Sherrie(Mark) Wolterman, and many nieces and nephews.

"OOORAH" Poppa