November 30, 2025, 97, Mount Olive —
May 13, 1928 – November 30, 2025
CMSgt (Ret.) Douglas Edward Courchene,
Lovingly known through his many titles as Chief, Hoppy, Doug, Eddie, Daddy, and Papa has now received his final title of “Good and Faithful Servant”
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord”
Matthew 25:21 ✝️
Douglas Edward Courchene, 97, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, November 30, 2025 at his home in Mount Olive, North Carolina.
Moments before his passing, he awoke briefly from a nap, looked out intently with a smile on his face and laugher in his voice. Shortly after, he returned to eternal sleep and was embraced by his Lord and Savior.
Born in Hooksett, New Hampshire, he was the son of the late Joseph and Agnes (Campbell) Courchesne. He was raised and educated there before embarking on a life- long career in the United States Air Force and Civil Service which would initially lead him to Copperas Cove, Texas where he met his beloved wife of 73 years, Evelyn Buchanan Courchene. From Texas they travelled the world being stationed at different base locations including Cambridge, England where their only child Colette (Cokie) was born. From there forward, it would be Evelyn who affectionally termed this new threesome, “the big 3”.
His career in the United States Air Force and Civil Service, specifically as Fire Chief in the Air Force Fire Service would reveal many professional acknowledgments throughout the years. Of late, while staying at Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation from June of 2024 to October of 2025 to receive chemotherapy at Duke Hospital, his achievements followed him. On March 29, 2025 he was inducted by his peers into the Military Firefighter Heritage Foundation Department of Defense Fire Emergency Services Hall of Fame. Doug’s love of writing would merge with his love of the Fire Department and produce two publications about his career service entitled, “Beyond Pioneers”. These books have encouraged many including the 2024 graduates from the Department of Defense Fire Academy Basic Firefighter Course at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas.
Doug’s passion for bringing the love of the Lord into service for his community would be present his entire life. For the last 51 years, he loved his “hometown” of Mount Olive greatly and strived to make a positive impact through participation in multiple outreaches. He and Evelyn’s long time membership at First Baptist Church provided for many opportunities for service, including the role of Deacon and Chairman of the Diaconate, working alongside his “ramp building crew” friends providing ramps to those with mobility challenges, gathering bicycles for children in need and dispersing them in NC and Arkansas and of recent, his contribution to the Gratitude Project Committee, a grant fund sponsored by First Baptist Church for nonprofits dedicated to reducing the structural causes of poverty in Mount Ollive. His passion for service would extend further to include his membership as a Grand Mason within Masonic Lodge #208, the participation on committees in Mount Olive for the Steele Library, Veteran’s Memorial, support for the Senior Center and his beloved Art Class and volunteering at the Westbrook and Nelson Parks providing picnic tables, benches, shelters and restroom facilities. The town of Goldsboro would join in honoring his zeal for service by providing him the “Key to the City” in 1988.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Philip Courchesne and Arthur Courchesne and sisters, Bernadette Chevrette and Jeanne Levasseur.
Douglas is survived by his beloved wife, Evelyn Buchanan Courchene of Wilmington, NC, his daughter, Colette (Cokie) Westfall and her husband Jay Westfall of Wilmington, NC, granddaughter Mary Kate Mannino and her husband Paul Mannino and great-granddaughter Evelyn Rita Mannino of Kutztown, Pennsylvania. He was the brother of Armand Courchesne of Richfield Springs, New York, and Therese Chevrette of Hooksett, New Hampshire. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom he loved greatly.
The family is profoundly grateful to all his medical team at Duke Hospital that have lovingly provided such excellent care, Michael Harrison, MD, Julia Michelle Deruyter, NP, Kristen Davis, PA, Kate Strople Ericson, NP, Jared Rex Robbins, MD, Nicole Jelesoff, MD, Clare Pipkin, MD, and Jonathan Cook, MD, Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation and the loving home nursing care he received from Katina Ward, Jessica Campbell, Shakira Campbell, Lucinda McKenzie, David Bynum and Kim Burgess.
A service of celebration for Doug’s life will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 1 o’clock in the afternoon at First Baptist Church, Mount Olive, NC. The service can be accessed online through YouTube Stream Service at “First Baptist Mount Olive” (@ firstbaptistmountolive9502). The family will begin receiving friends at a luncheon lovingly offered by the First Baptist Church family at the Christian Life Center adjacent to the church sanctuary beginning at 11:30am until shortly before service time. Dr. Dennis Atwood, and Dr. Glenn Phillips Jr., will officiate the service with Rev. Cokie Westfall and Victor Chevrette providing eulogies and Ajay Sadey providing scriptural readings. Private burial will follow at Wayne Memorial Park in Goldsboro, NC.
In lieu of flowers, Doug had requested memorial contributions be directed to India Missions at First Baptist Church, PO Box 239, Mount Olive, NC 28365.
