Doug DeCastro

A private memorial service for the immediate family of 76-year old retired long-time Hay Springs businessman Douglas “Doug” DeCastro will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Hay Springs VFD or the Bluefield Project to Cure Frontotemporal Dementia (https://www.bluefieldproject.org/) in the name of Doug DeCastro.

Douglas Addison “Doug” DeCastro was born February 4, 1947 to May (McLain) DeCastro and Dr Addison DeCastro. He passed away on June 21, 2023.

Doug was the youngest of three boys. His childhood was marked by time with his large extended family and extensive travel with his parents through most of the continental US, Alaska, and the countries of Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti.

Doug graduated from Hay Springs High School and Chadron State College. While pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, he spent two summers working for the Wyoming Dept of Game and Fish. 

It was there he met his future wife, Jody (Rinehart) of Cody, WY. The couple were married on July 17, 1976.

Living in Hay Springs his entire life, Doug loved serving his community through involvement with the volunteer fire department, Boy Scouts, chamber of commerce, city council, and as a small business owner (DeCastro’s Clothing Store and DeCastros’ Hwy 20 Market). 

A friend to all, Doug was a captivating storyteller with a great sense of humor. He was always smiling and his whole body laugh brought joy to everyone in his presence.

Doug loved taking family and friends fishing or for a ride on his boat, camping at nearby Walgren Lake, Box Butte, and Angostura reservoirs, or for a plane ride on the family Bonanza. 

He had a deep appreciation for nature and made regular wildlife viewing trips to Yellowstone, the Black Hills, and north of Hay Springs. 

His passion for geography and maps grew from childhood travels with his parents, college travels through Europe, and many trips with Jody and their children. 

Not just a fan of the Wyoming Cowboys and Nebraska Cornhuskers football teams, Doug had an impressive knowledge of their every game, player, coaching staff member, and even individual plays. 

His ultimate pride and joy, however, was his family – as evidenced by the hundreds of hours of film he took documenting their lives together.

Doug is survived by his wife Jody (Hay Springs); children Sheriden (and Justin) Dubas (Bradenton, FL) and Chad (and Sarah) DeCastro (Palmer, NE); and grandchildren Adreya, Carson, and Caysen (Palmer, NE). 

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Earl and Dwyer.