Doug Saum, 66, died March 20, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born March 5, 1943 in Omak, Wash.

When Doug was in the sixth grade his family moved to Whidbey Island where Doug finished school, graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1961.

Doug went to work for the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Fire Department in 1965, spending a total of 30 years fighting fires in the “Structural” and “Crash” divisions of the department. Doug also became a member of the Oak Harbor Volunteer Fire Department in 1966 and spent more than 12 years serving his community on his days off from the Navy Fire Department.

Doug is survived by his wife, Connie at the family home in Oak Harbor, along with son Pat with wife Renee Saum of Ephrata, Wash., son Brian of Anchorage, Alaska, and daughter Heather with husband Brett Webb of Everett. He is also survived by his father, Perry “Dick” Cays of Oak Harbor, brother Terry, with wife Monica Cays of Bothell, sister Linda with husband Don Iverson of Montesano, Wash., and three grandchildren, Darren Saum, Mitchell Webb and Easton Webb.

Doug’s wishes were to have a gathering of family and friends at his favorite place to camp. The family is planning a gathering in his name for later this year where his life will be celebrated. The family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society for Lung Cancer Research. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, where family and friends may visit www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave messages for the family.