Douglas Wayne Nethers, 81, of Nashport, Ohio, died peacefully Wednesday morning, August 14, 2024 at Licking Memorial Hospice of Central Ohio.

Born May 6, 1943 in Toboso, Ohio, he was a son of the late Clarence "C.O."  & Kathleen L. (Varner) Nethers and a 1961 graduate of Licking Valley High School.  As a young man, Doug excelled in baseball and was a great football and basketball player as well.  He played, coached, and supported Licking Valley Athletics throughout his lifetime.   After retiring from the Newark Air Force Base, if he wasn't being a farm hand, Doug drove buses for Licking Valley Schools for over 20 years and was known for driving "really fast", so the kids were always on time.  Doug especially enjoyed driving the buses and filming games for sports teams so he could give the coaches loud, unsolicited verbal advice.  He was a super fan of all Licking Valley Sports.

Doug was a member of the New Home Masonic Lodge #338 and a founding member of the Schmidty's Liars Club where he would meet friends for breakfast most mornings.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, reading about history and spending time with his family.  No matter how great or small the achievement, Doug was always a proud dad and papaw of his children and grandchildren.

Surviving are his four children, Charity (Dirk) McFarland of Newark, OH, Trisha (Andrew) Brighton of Lancaster, PA, Clay (Silvia) Williams of Port St. Joe, FL and Casey (Autumn) Williams of Perry Township, OH; a son in-law, Jon Ove of Nashotah, WI; thirteen grandchildren, Katie (Peter Martin) McFarland, William McFarland, Rachel (Matthew) Schwarzentraub, Lydia (Spencer) Carlson, Miriam (Noah) Meneely, Abigail (Ryan) Evans, Clare and Elise Ove, Clayton and Maren Williams, and Avery, Griffin, and Sawyer Williams; nine great grandchildren with two more on the way; Companion, Brenda Atwood and several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Sue (Mox) Nethers whom he married October 15, 1983, and who died April 2, 2006; a daughter, Amber Ove and two brothers, Melvin (Jackie) Nethers and Terry (Sue) Nethers.

Friends and family may call Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 4pm to 7pm at Rise Christian Church (Formerly Licking Valley Church of Christ), 1578 Dayton Road NE, Newark, OH 43055.

Funeral service will be held at Rise Christian Church on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 10:00am with Pastor David Warner officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Licking Valley Athletics Boosters or Hospice of Central Ohio.