Douglas Ray Stuit

Douglas Ray Stuit, 61, of Custer, Washington, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025, after a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure. Born on October 17, 1963, Doug was the beloved son of Suzanne Reynolds and Kenneth Stuit, and later Stepfather Calvin “Slim” Sorrows. He grew up on the family cattle farm, where he developed a lifelong love of raising livestock and the rural way of life. Doug’s life was defined by family, perseverance, and the simple things that made each day richer. A proud graduate of Ferndale High School, Class of 1982, Doug was active in 4-H, FFA, and high school rodeo. After graduation he spent many years riding with the Sheriff’s Posse, Nooksack Valley Riders, and helping at local rodeos. Doug enjoyed serving his community as a volunteer member of Whatcom County Search and Rescue. This led to him becoming a volunteer firefighter and EMT as well, which he continued to do for much of his life. His first career began as a dump truck driver for local construction, and quickly turned into a love for the road as a long haul trucker with the Teamsters Union. His call sign was “Skinny Rabbit” and his favorite truck was a Kenworth. In 2003, Doug retired from trucking and began a new career serving the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with a focus on commercial freight border crossing and HAZMAT for 20 years. Doug and Cara were high school sweethearts, and married in 1983. In 1989 and 1992, they welcomed the arrivals of their son and daughter, Kenny and Kaylee. A few years later, in 1995, the Stuit’s bought their property in Custer, WA, where they built their home and life together from the ground up. Doug loved his family fervently, and worked very hard to provide a good life. They had horses on their property and helped with the family’s beef cattle farm often. He loved helping the kids practice t-ball and baseball, and later supported them while showing cows, pigs and horses with 4-H, FFA and WAHSET. He was also a parent volunteer during the Whatcom County Youth Fair. When Lynden PRCA Rodeo began in 2005, Doug was on the Security and Parking volunteer group for almost 10 years. A few of his favorite things were haying, beef cows, golfing, live auctions, target practice, fishing, camping, always being right, a cold beer and shooting the shit at Tony’s Tavern. Doug was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Stuit, his Stepfathers, Calvin “Slim” Sorrows and Curt Harvey, Grandparents Dale and Edith Reynolds, Grandparents Peter and Francis Stuit, Uncle Hank Weins, Brother in law Jeffrey Frost, and other various aunts, uncles and cousins. He is Survived by his wife, Cara Stuit, Children Kenny Stuit and Kaylee Monroe (Husband Josh), Mother Suzanne Reynolds, Sister Tami Frost and Sons Jeffrey and Jacob, sister Tina Harmer (Husband Gordon) and children Spencer and Frank, Aunt Dianne Rinesmith, Brother in law Steve Vaughan and children Kiera, Brianna and Dylan, Sister in law Alisha Sanders (husband Jack), Grandson Leland Monroe, and numerous other family members. The family would like to thank Whatcom Hospice House for their care of Doug in his final hours. An open graveside service will be held at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale Washington on Thursday October 9th, 2025 at 2:00pm. All family and friends are welcome. A short, casual reception with coffee and refreshments will be held directly after the graveside service to visit with family and friends and share memories. Details for a celebration of life will be shared in the coming weeks.

Douglas Ray Stuit

October 17, 1963 - October 4, 2025