Douglas James Goossen was born on November 5, 1976 to Randell and Julie Loewen Goossen, at Winnipeg, MB. Because he had developed pneumonia, he was admitted to the Altona Hospital on January 11, 2008. Doug was worried about having to spend the night there, but God had a better plan, and instead peacefully took him home around 5:20 that afternoon. Although he remained a child at heart, he reached the age of 31 years. We did not expect him to go so suddenly, are glad that some of us were able to be by his side when he took flight to heaven. Shortly after Doug was born, we realized that he had a disability he would always need to live with. This did not hinder him from making friends! In fact, his child-like nature seemed to be what drew people to him, and he became dear to everyone. He did not need a special call from God to become His child, for from the beginning he was one of God’s special children. Doug went to Prairie View School at Rosenort for nine years. Then he attended Morris Public School and graduated from there in June of 1998. After graduating, he started working at the Occupational Training Centre in Altona. Doug was very devoted to his job and was enjoying his ninth year of employment there. Whenever we stopped in to see him at OTC, he could hardly take time from his work to visit with us! Doug had many interests, and had a way of sharing those with other people. He loved his four-wheeler, and it was very important to him to keep it spotlessly clean. If any of us rode it and made it dirty, he made sure we knew it was not his fault that it got dirty, and that it was our responsibility to clean it up again. He loved getting together with friends and driving remote-controlled vehicles. He always noticed trucks – especially the nice-looking ones. This love of trucks was something that he had in common with his late brother-in-law, Les. Doug’s interest in other people made him work hard at communicating. He didn’t give up just because someone didn’t understand him at first. He kept at it until he got his point across. He had a memory like none of the rest of us have, and the things he remembered about people helped keep his interest in them alive. Now at Christmas time, Doug was very enthused about going to visit Jason and Randy’s. Before we left for B.C., he always asked, “How many more nights till going?”. In 2002, Doug was made very sad by the death of his good friend, Chris Goossen. It seemed like the fact that there was heaven after death and life beyond the grave was hard for Doug, with his limited understanding, to grasp. We rejoice to know that death holds no fear, and the grave holds no mystery for him anymore, and that now he is free and happy with Jesus and those waiting on the other shore. Those left to cherish his special memories are his parents, Randell and Julie Goossen of Morris, MB, one brother Jason and wife Denie, with children Jackson, Nicolee, and Alyssa of Creston, B.C., two sisters, Pam, wife of the late Leslie Rempel, with children Landon and Maegan of Rosenort, MB, and Angela and husband Randy Koehn, with son Tyrell, of Swan River, MB. He was predeceased by one brother-in-law, Leslie Rempel. A viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Dr, Steinbach, MB on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 16, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Rosenort, MB with interment at the church cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Occupational Training Centre, P.O. Box 330, Altona, Manitoba, R0G 0B0