Obituary of Douglas G. Lathrop

Rev. Douglas G Lathrop was the son of the late George J. Lathrop of S. Lincoln, Vt. and the late Jean Burnham Lathrop of Gloversville and Littleton, CO. He was born in the old Littauer Hospital in Gloversville on March 17, 1945 and entered eternal rest on August 7, 2017. Moving to Amsterdam in 1953, he was a graduate of Wilber H. Lynch High School in Amsterdam, NY, class of '63; Fulton-Montgomery Community College, first class of '66; SUNY Oneonta with a BA and MSEd degrees in '67 &72 respectively. He also attended the Course of Study at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Mr. Lathrop began his teaching career in 1967 at the Glen Worden Elementary School which is in the Scotia-Glenville School District. Moving back to Gloversville in 1971, his career consisted in teaching at Estee Middle School Physical Science, Chemistry and Earth Science. He also completed post-graduate work in the Geologic Sciences at SUNY Albany. Affiliations include the Gloversville Retired Teachers Assn., NYSRTA, AFT, and the Hudson-Mohawk Professional Geologist Assn; retiring from teaching in 2000. His life's passion after his wife, children and grandchildren was his fascination for the Adirondack Mountains. He studied the flora, fauna, lore, and traditions of the local colorful people who explored and survived the harsh living conditions. He hiked, drove and paddled inside the Blue Line. He received his license to preach in 1965, served as a Supply Pastor during other Pastor's summer vacations; in 1971 he was appointed the part-time Pastor of Northampton UMC, in 1972-2002, appointed Youth Pastor, Assistant Pastor, and Associate Pastor of the Foothills UMC, Gloversville, In 2002, he was appointed Pastor of Wells UMC, and in 2005 appointed Pastor of the Multi-denominational United Church of Kanab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona, finally retiring in 2009 after a successful new Worship building project. Prior to retiring from teaching, he spent summers working for the N.Y. S. Dept. of Health as a Public Health Inspector for Fulton, Montgomery and Herkimer Counties. He was an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 53, Health Director, Program Director, and Camp Director of the former Woodworth Lake Scout Reservation. He was a NYSDEC Licensed Guide and a charter member of the New York State Outdoor Guides Assn. He was also trained in scouting for the handicapped and served on the committee to establish Lexington Center's Troop 5. He spent 20 years representing Gloversville on the Gloversville-Johnstown Joint Sewer Board, serving as Chairman on three separate occasions. He served as a Chaplain for the Local Hospice Assn. and part-time Chaplain at the Nathan Littauer Hospital. While living in Kanab, UT, he volunteered in the Paleontology Lab for the Bureau of Land Management, preparing Hadrosaur specimens for the Utah Natural History Museum. He was a Past Master of Gloversville Lodge 429 F. & A. M., St. Patrick's Lodge 4 F & A. M., and Grand Chaplain Emeritus of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, a member of Sacandaga Chapter 116, Royal Arch Masons, St. George Commandry 37, Knight Templars, and 32nd Degree Mason of the Valley of Schenectady Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. After the 2009 retirement, he and his wife Jill divided their time, spending summers in Superior, CO, near the Flat Irons, and winters in Yuma, AZ. Eventually, they became permanent residents in Yuma, AZ. Besides his wife Jill (nee Walrath), whom he married in 1993 he is survived by sons: Douglas A. of Gloversville, Jeffrey G. (Marcelle) of Naperville, IL, Andrew M. (Melanie) of Gloversville, and step children Doreen M. Smith (Robert, Jr.) of Meco and Donald M. Canfield (Kirstin) of Lakewood, CO, and grandchildren: Morgan, Quade, Carson, Adriana, Miles, Vincent, and Lucas. Also surviving are two half-sisters, Anne Marie and Lisa. The family would like to personally thank all the staff on the 2nd floor at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam, NY for their exceptional care, compassion and attentiveness to Doug and his family. Relatives and friends may call from 1 to 3pm Tuesday, August 15th at Foothills United Methodist Church 17 Fremont St; Gloversville, where a Memorial Service will follow at 3pm Tuesday. Arrangements are under the direction of the Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, Gloversville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Lane, Latham, NY 12110 or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 5 Computer Drive West, Suite 100, Albany, NY 12205 or to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.