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Douglas Lloyd Champlin of Gardnerville, Nev., died peacefully on Monday, May 20, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz., after a brief illness of cancer. He was born Jan. 9, 1941, in Enid, Okla., to Joe Noble and Jane Edwards Champlin.
He is survived by his wife, Laurel Raether Champlin; daughter, Christa Hampton and husband Cobey of Cave Creek, Ariz.; daughter, Claire Woolsey and husband Cole of Reno, Nev., and Cassidy Champlin of the home; six grandchildren; sister, Joanna M. Champlin and husband Shawnee Brittan of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and many nieces, nephews and beloved friends all over the world.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents and beloved brother, H.H. "Bud" Champlin, formerly of Enid, Okla.
As a young boy growing up in Enid, Okla., Doug developed a love for history and the military. He became a collector at a young age of toy soldiers, guns, and just about anything he could get his hands on related to history.
He attended Mercersburg Military Academy and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1964, with a degree in political science, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta. While at Berkeley, Doug enrolled in the Army Reserve Officer Training Course, and upon graduation, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserves.
Doug's love for cars led him into the racing world and his love for firearms led him into manufacturing fine rifles through Champlin Firearms in Enid. His love for flying led to building reproduction biplanes with Great Lakes Aircraft Co. for a number of years. Doug's love of history and aircraft took over once again and he began acquiring fighter aircraft all over the world and restoring them to original condition. He acquired WWI and WWII airplanes (all flyable), weaponry, artwork and even had his own restoration facility. His collection was proudly displayed for 22 years (1981-2003) at the Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum in Mesa, Ariz., which also was the home of the American Fighter Aces Association and the Flying Tiger Association. The Museum of Flight is now the home of the Champlin collection.
At the time of his death, Doug was a Trustee's Board Member at the SMOF and an Inductee to the Oklahoma Aviation Hall of Fame.
A memorial service is 2 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Memorial donations may be made to the Museum of Flight, Seattle, Wash., or Hospice of the Valley, www.HOV.org.
Published on May 23, 2013
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