Douglas Neil Vincent

Douglas Neil Vincent passed away peacefully from old age at his residence on November 25, 2022. 

Born in Lansing, MI, on June 2, 1928, with an early childhood in Detroit, MI, his family then moved to and settled in Plymouth in 1938, where he lived nearly all the remaining years of his life. He was the eldest of five offspring born to Helen May (Douglas) Vincent and Alfred George Laurie Vincent. His younger siblings held him in high regard as he engaged them during their childhood, leading them in games and other activities, and looking out for them as a responsible and dutiful older brother.

After graduating from Plymouth High School in 1946, he served in the U.S. Army in Korea, Japan and at

Fort Lewis, WA. He returned to Michigan and met the love of his life, Lila Ruth Lepperd, at a University of Michigan football game. They were married in Ann Arbor, MI, on March 28, 1953, and he never stopped loving her until her death July 21, 2021, married for more than 68 years. His children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins will all miss him.

After retiring in July 1986 from a career with General Motors in finance, he and his wife Lila enjoyed traveling together for 30 years, visiting family and friends, at destinations domestic and international. They especially loved spending cold fall and winter months at Hilton Head Island, S.C. 

Besides enjoying travel, he was an enthusiastic leader in the Boy Scouts of America for over 50 years, earning the lifetime Silver Beaver Award and other awards commemorating his service to the local district council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also devoted to his community in other ways, serving in various roles in the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, as well as volunteering with Meals on Wheels and with the Goodfellows.

Ever the athlete since high school, he participated in several marathons while race walking, including the Detroit and Twin Cities marathons, and the 100^th Boston marathon in 1996. He also enjoyed participating in the Senior Olympics until the age of 77.

He is predeceased by his parents, Helen (Douglas) Vincent and Alfred Vincent; his sister Anne (Vincent) Spencer; and his brother John (Jack) Vincent. He is survived by his brother William Vincent, sister Mary (Vincent) Murray, and sister-in-law Dee Vincent (Bill Schneiderhan) , as well as son Steven (Jill Weese), son David (Maurita), and daughter Linda. He has seven grandchildren: Owen, Patrick, Eleanor, Zachary, Margaret, Brandon, and Jeremy; as well as seven great-grandchildren: Arik, Ancel, Abigail, Beatrice, Avery, Otto, and Alberta, with an eighth great-grandchild on the way in April 2023.

Visitation prior to the memorial service will be at Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 S. Main Street in Plymouth, MI, on Friday, December 2, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. There will be a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, 701 Church Street, on Saturday December 3 at 11:00 am with a visitation starting at 10:00 am. A gathering of family and friends will follow the memorial service.

Memorial gifts can be made to either Disabled American Veterans (dav.org/donate); Gleaners Community Food Bank (gcfb.org/give-money/);  or Plymouth Meals on Wheels (wayzataplymouthmealsonwheels.com).