Douglass Muir

douglass muir

Douglass T. Muir, 70, passed away June 18, 2012 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND>

Doug Muir was born on January 28, 1942 in Seattle, WA to Russell and Elizabeth (Webster) Muir.  He attended grade school in Seattle, WA, Moorhead, MN, and Tower City, graduating from high school in Tower City, ND in 1961.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Valley City State Teacher’s College, Valley City, ND.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN.  He attended the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND working toward a master’s degree in Physical Education and throughout his career was continually active in furthering his education at various institutions throughout the region.

He began his lengthy teaching career in Fort Kent, Alberta, Canada, continued at Willow City Public School for two years and then spent 32 years in Barnesville Public Schools, retiring in November of 2000.  The Minnesota Technology Education Association recognized Doug with an award given in 1991 for 25 years of Service in Industrial Arts Education.  Doug was also well known in the region in the Crop Insurance Industry.  He worked as an adjustor for Cimmarron Insurance Company from 1980-1987.  He continued with Farmer’s Mutual Hail Insurance Company from 1988-2008 when he was presented with a 20 year service award. 

He was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Barnesville, MN and spent a number of years on different committees within the church.  He was the Treasurer for the Barnesville Educational Association for many years and also taught Adult Community Education classes.  Doug was a familiar face at all the home athletic events as he managed the Concession Stand from 1970-1995.  He received the Minnesota State High School League Award for coaching football, basketball, and track.  As an active member of his community, he was recognized with the Achievement Award from the Barnesville Chamber of Commerce.  He served on the Executive Board and several other committees for the Red River Singles organization.  Doug enjoyed golf, travel and photography.  He was an outgoing individual who always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart.  He was known for his sense of humor and ability to greet anyone and everyone with a kind word, good joke, and firm handshake. 

He is survived by his children:  Aaron Muir (Cheryl) and their 2 daughters:  Amber and Sarah of Fargo, ND, Darrin Muir (April) and their 2 children:  Levi and Taylor Jane “T.J.”, of Fargo, ND; sister:  Jaqueline O’Neall (William) of Oakdale, MN; several cousins; and 3 nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

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  1. Fargo N DIt’s been over a month now, & still unbelieveable you’re gone. We had more places to travel & things to do. I still catch myself starting to dial your phone number. The years we spent together were fun, adventurous, & too short, I miss you. ‘Til we meet again. Love, Myrna

  2. Moorhead MN
    Aaron and Darrin, I am saddened at the loss of your father and I hold you in my thoughts and prayers. I really got to know your dad better at singles dances, although of course I knew him in Barnesville. He was a great guy, ever friendly and accepting. He had a heart of gold and I count him as one of my good friends. BTW he was a good dancer also.

  3. My sympathy goes to your family during this time of sadness. May the following words from God give you comfort.

    1 Peter 1: 3-9 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trails. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

  4. To the Muir Family, Doug had a good eye for fun and saw things as they were, a fact I appreciated as a student. Having him as a teacher, I could see clearly he was a loving Father and mentor. My prayers and thought are with you through this time of loss.

  5. Aaron and Darrin,
    Sorry for the loss of your dad. Generations of students and Barnesville have many fond memeries of your dad…whether it was in class, in a sport, working at the concession stand or something. I haven’t seen him for a long time, and reading this obituary and the comments on the guestbook, makes me wish I would have ran into him lately. Also…I LOVED the picture with you guys in front of the Winebego that I saw on facebook! That is a classic 70’s photo – good stuff!
    Take Care,
    Marty Montplaisir

  6. Moorhead MN
    To Mr. Muirs Family:

    We are very sorry to hear of Mr. Muirs passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. We pray to God to give you the strength and courage to cope with this loss.

    I have so many fond memories of Mr. Muir mostly on the athletic field, but also in the shop. I was okay in one of the areas and horrible in the other. The gift the Mr. Muir had was that he treated me equally as well in both venues. I remember all the late nights he stayed and we threw the shot put and discus. I also remember him helping me make a footstool for my grandmother. Just a simple footstool, but he knew how much it would mean to her and it did.

    We would regularly run into each other in Menards or Home Depot and would take up as easily as we did 35 years ago. It is my belief that Coach Muir has now assumed new coaching/mentoring duties that I trust will be less frustrating than dealing with 7th and 8th graders like our group!

    You are in our prayers,

    Tom and Beth Iverson

  7. Valley City ND
    I am sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. I still remember the night he scored 42 points for the Tower City Clams!

  8. I only had Mr. Muir for one class ( 2nd. Hr)in my senior year. It was a fun class to have, not only did I learn a few things, I found out that Mr. Muir could and would eat any of my first hours food class projects.

    I hope that his family is able to take comfort, in knowing how many young
    lives he impacted. He made a difference.

  9. Thief River Falls Mr. Muir had a geniuine concern for his students at Barnesville High. I know he has touched many lives through the skills he taught his students. I was using my table saw last weekend and thinking about Mr. Muir and how I appreciated him teaching me how to “safely” use power tools. Thanks for being a positive role model in my life. Rest in Peace Mr. Muir!

  10. Mantador North Dakota
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. As you grieve, remember how many lives that Mr. Muir touched through his many years of teachingand the lives he has impacted. I remember going to high school in Barnesville and he was always cheerful and kind. May he rest in peace.

  11. Barnesville MN
    My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Muir’s family during this difficult time.
    I was in his Independent Projects class, the only girl with all boys! I made a hope chest, the boys made baseball bats. I didn’t get the chest stained, so Mr. Muir gave me a C! The boys got As! I was upset as my project was much more complicated and a lot more work Mr. Muir said I talked to much! My “hope” for you, Mr. Muir is that you rest in peace and all your projects are complete.

  12. Barnesville MN
    Mr Muir was one of the best shop teachers and coach that I had durning my high school years, we have lost a great educator and a great man miss you Mr Muir

  13. Barnesville MN
    good person and teacher to talk to. It was a very fun time to have him teach me, he made everything interesting. The best saying he had and I use it every day is a place for everything everything in its place. we will miss him!

  14. Barnesville MN
    Mr. Muir was shop/woods teacher for both me and my husband at BHS. As others have mentioned, he showed his love for teaching at all times. The 80s were good times at BHS. Thank you Mr. Muir.

  15. Fergus Falls MN
    To Doug’s Family: He was a true friend & we enjoyed giving each other grief & playing a few pranks on each other over the years. I will miss you my friend, may you rest in peace!

  16. Lake Lillian MN
    My condolences, sympathy and prayers are extend to the Muir family. Mr. Muir was a great man, wonderful teacher and enjoyable person to know. May he rest peacefully in our Heavenly Father’s arms.

  17. Cold Spring MN
    We are so sorry to hear of Doug’s passing! He has maintained contact over the past years as we have been out of the Barnesville area and kept us up to date on things back that direction! He has been so proud of family and his ability to be involved in things that have been going on–he would keep me current on Darrin and Aaron as well! Best wishes to all in this difficult time–our thoughts and prayers are with you!

  18. 56514I posted earlier, but I wanted to share that many Barnesville Alumni are sharing on Facebook the loss of a special teacher. Barnesville students are remembering him fondly, & many are posting Mr Muir’s notorious saying & words to live by: “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” Mr Muir’s heart was always in the right place, and now God has a place for Mr Muir. A place for everything, and Everything’s in it’s place, indeed.

  19. Lidgerwood ND
    To the Muir Family our prayers go out to you he was a great teacher i had the pleasure of talking with him a month or so ago when my mother in law was in rehab at bethony on 32nd he new who i was right away after all the years that went buyhe will be deeply missed

  20. Barnesville MN
    Our prayers and thoughts are with your family. Doug was a great friend for all the years we taught together in Barnesville.

  21. Doug, Thank you for all the childhood memories! You were a nice kindhearted teacher and a great neighbor to have growing up with. Thanks for attempting to teach me woodworking skills, though I believe my gum ball machine did work, ha! Or tagging along on Sunday afternoons and raising heck thoughout the High School with Aaron, Darrin and others. You will be missed! Prayers to Aaron, Darrin and their families.

  22. Barnesville MN
    To the Family of Mr Muir, My sympathy for your loss. Mr Muir was my teacher, and I loved to give him grief, and he could dish it right back ! He enjoyed teaching, and his heart was always in the right place. Even though he taught the 7 siblings that came before me, he always remembered my name and greeted me with a smile, even years after my graduation when our paths crossed. Until we meet again –
    RIP, Mr Muir!
    Karla Stetz Thompson

  23. Barnesville MN
    Mr. Muir was a great Teacher and always willing to help his students. He will be greatly missed by all of his students!

  24. Doug-
    My heart aches right now, because of all you went through, and how quick it happened.
    You were truly one of a kind! I know how much you liked telling jokes!
    How much your kids n grandkids meant to you.
    You were there to help if needed. I’m so happy that you n Mom got to do so much traveling!!! I was looking forward to a casino trip when I got back home. 🙂 I know we wouldn’t have had to twist your arm too bad! Haha
    I know it had been a few weeks since we spoke,and that night I was very sick, but I’m glad we chatted! Until we meet again. Love you!


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