Douglas Ray MacArthur

Noted local photographer Douglas Ray “Doug” MacArthur died Friday, March 27, at his home on Umptanum Road west of Ellensburg. He was 82.

Born Dec. 16, 1943 in Ellensburg, Doug was the second child of Donald and Dorothy (Young) MacArthur. When he was a child, the family moved to Sunnyside.

As a young man, Doug was a ranch cowboy and also participated in rodeo in the saddle bronc, bareback and bull riding events. He later became a television stunt riding double, most notably on the popular series Bonanza, before returning to Sunnyside to work as an ambulance driver for a number of years.

In 1997, Doug relocated back to the Ellensburg area, settling on the Umptanum Road ranch that belonged to his aunt, Lois Young, and said it felt “like coming home.” He began pursuing his lifelong passion for photography in earnest and quickly found success with subjects that piqued his boundless curiosity including nature, barns and even outhouses! His enduring love of ranch life and the Kittitas Valley were evident in his photographs, especially his historic barn series and his signature “Cowboy Cross,” which graced the 2006 Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering poster.

His unique array of life experiences provided many stories to tell, which Doug enjoyed sharing with friends and family, often over coffee. Music was another interest, especially old-time country and (surprising himself) classical, and he loved attending concerts at CWU. Going for drives with his beloved Aunt Lois to view scenery and take pictures also brought him joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Donald MacArthur and Dorothy Nielsen; siblings: Darrel MacArthur, Dale MacArthur and Dorene Rogers; uncles and aunts: Berle and Elaine Stevenson, Maurice and Lois Young; and cousins: Kay Tuben and Bill Stevenson. He is survived by cousins: Karen Barnes, Victor Stevenson, Joan Carrington, Lori Brown, Linda Moncrief, Mary Young-Ness and Melissa Metzler; and nieces: Jonquil Ogden and Juliette West.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Johnston and Williams Funeral Home, 301 E. Third Ave., Ellensburg, WA 98926. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Clymer Museum or Friends of the Fair.