John Douglas McLeod Sr. died peacefully at Maple Ridge in Freeland on Wednesday, April 20, 2011.

John was born Aug. 27, 1916 in a log cabin on Fox Spit Road in Langley. He is the seventh son of a seventh son.

He graduated from Langley High School in 1934 and attended the University of Washington, where he became a loyal Husky sports fan. John worked for Big Bear Stores and Lucky Stores, Inc. where he was a meat buyer. John retired in 1978 and moved back to the island to spend the rest of his life in the place that he loved.

John was a colorful individual. He embarked on his business career by carrying concrete bricks up a ladder to help build the Clyde Theater, ran the Sea Breeze Tavern in Langley and helped Dave Bell sluice the banks on Saratoga Passage to develop Bells Beach.

John is survived by his wife of

70 years Winifred “Winnie” Bell (of Bells Beach) and their three children John Douglas “Doug” McLeod Jr. (Mary), Bonnie E. McLeod Mackenzie (Jerry) and Marjorie J. McLeod Carter (Dan). John and Winnie have eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. His family loved him dearly. He will be greatly missed.

A graveside gathering will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30 at Langley-Woodmen Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to the South Whidbey Historical Society, PO Box 612, Langley, WA 98260 or to Good Cheer, PO Box 144, Langley, WA 98260.