Doug Hellinghausen
Doug Hellinghausen, devoted husband and father, went to be with the Lord on Ascension Sunday, May 24, 2020, after battling metastatic melanoma and Crohn’s disease for many years. He was 61.
Doug was born to Paul and Frances Hellinghausen on March 6, 1959, in Shreveport, Louisiana. His childhood years were filled with memories made with his parents, siblings, and family friends on countless camping trips and adventures at Wilkes Lake.
In 1977, Doug graduated from Captain Shreve High School. He continued his studies first at Louisiana Tech University. He later moved to Texas to complete his associate’s degree at Richland College in Dallas, where he graduated in 1981.
After finishing college, Doug moved to Houston, where he met the love of his life, Holly Gonsoulin. The two were married on February 23, 1991, and soon began a family. Their 29 years of marriage were blessed with three children, decades-long friendships with members of the Young Adults Catholic group, and adored family pets.
Doug established himself as a respected and dependable analyzer and instrument technician with a career spanning almost 40 years. He started working at the Houston Lighting and Power Company in 1981 in Baytown. He went on to work for Enron in 1996 at the Morgan’s Point plant near La Porte. Then in 2004, Doug began working for the Valero Refining Corp. at its Houston refinery. He retired in 2020 from his role at Valero as an analyzer technician with 24 years of recognized service in the Houston oil and gas industry.
Doug was a passionate outdoorsman, patient and caring father, and beloved brother and son. He enjoyed spending time outdoors lounging in his backyard, surf fishing in Galveston and hunting with his children. His favorite memories with his family were made on summer vacations to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Puerto Rico, and a cruise to Hawaii with his wife.
He was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2009, and with melanoma in 2017. His iron will along with the prayers and support of his family and friends fortified him throughout the highs and lows of his cancer treatment.
Doug is survived by his wife Holly; son Garrett (Madeline); daughters Valerie Lisa and Kristina Lynn; father Paul Sr.; brothers Bill (Mary Ann) and Paul Jr. (Laurie); sister Dawn Pavel (Michael); as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his younger brother Gregory and loving mother Frances.
A memorial Mass celebrating Doug’s life has been rescheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 3131 El Dorado Blvd, Houston, TX 77059. Guests will be required to wear face coverings to enter the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Doug’s honor can be made out to the following:
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
2914 Swiss Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center
CFO
1400 La Concha Lane
Houston, Texas 77054
Miss you Doug. Glad you are in joy and no more pain. Prayers for peace to Holly, Kristina, Valerie and Dad, and all family and friends. God bless. The Delac Family
Prayers for you to feel God’s loving embrace during this difficult season of loss. May you find comfort in family, memories and friends’ support and embraces.
Doug had the pleasure to work with you at Enron an Valero . Take care and May God Bless you…My Paryer to Holly and the children. Peaceful Rest My Friend
Holly, Garrett, Valerie and Kristina, We offer our deepest sympathies on the passing of your husband and father. May the huge hole in your heart be filled with memories of your time with him. Godspeed, Doug.
Karen Vaughn and family
It seems like yesterday we were at your wedding. We send lots of love and compassion your way during these hard days. Wishing to you and your family peace and comfort to carry on in life without a very wonderful man.
Much love and condolences ,
Bruce , Carolyn and Annie Vieau
All will miss that dear, courageous man. My heartfelt condolences to Holly and all the family.
It is an honor and pleasure to have had Doug and his family in my life. It’s the people who loved him’s loss, but Heaven’s gain that he’s there now. Holly, Valerie, Garrett, and Kristina, you have all my love and prayers.
I worked with Doug for many years at Morgan’s Point. He was a good person and always willing to help anyone that needed it. It always hurts when someone you have known is taken away. I did not know any of his family, but I sincerely offer you my condolences. God bless you.
Garrett,
I am so sorry about your father. I was thinking about you, and when I looked you up I saw that he passed away. I could tell you had a special bond with him when you came to the office (UTA chemistry) and told us about your dad. What an awesome legacy, to leave all of you with such great memories. I’m thinking about you.
Jill