Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Douglas Fairchild

Douglas Bryan Fairchild, 45, passed away on December 30, 2002, at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Research Center in New York City, after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. He courageously fought this scourge by continuing to teach after he had been diagnosed and began treatment. All who met Douglas were cheered by his warm heartedness and his joyous, infectious laugh. He will be sorely missed by all of his many friends and relatives around the world.

He was predeceased by his mother, Zelia Ann Westmoreland Fairchild.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Chrysanthi, and their beloved Jeffrey of New York City. In addition to his devoted wife, Douglas is survived by his father, James E. "Poss" Fairchild, Sr. of Prescott, brothers, James E. Fairchild, Jr. (Sharon) of Hope, and Gunnery Sergeant Blake D. Fairchild (Luz) of Jacksonville, Fla. Douglas also is survived by numerous other loving family members and friends.

Born in Prescott, on December 10, 1957, Mr. Fairchild graduated from Prescott High School, and then received his Bachelor of Music Education from Henderson State University in 1980. Douglas received his Masters Degree of Music Education from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He also obtained additional course work at Cambridge and Oxford Universities in England.

Douglas began his teaching career as the Director of Bands, Crossett Public Schools in Crossett. He then moved on to the Director of Bands, Concordia Lutheran School in Hyattsville, MD. He later was appointed the Director of Bands at the prestigious National Cathedral School and st. Albans School in Washington, DC. While posted in Washington, Doug was also the Director of the Community Band at the Selma Levine School of Music. He also was an active member of the visiting staff to the Saint Paul Girls School in London, England, chosen from the National Cathedral School faculty to work as an exchange instructor.

From 1987 until 1991, Mr. Fairchild was the Director of Bands at the American Community School in Cobham, England. During this same period, in addition to this position, he was also the music director of the Bourne Concert Band in Addleston, England. In 1991, Mr. Fairchild accepted his last teaching assignment as staff member of the United Nations International School in New York, NY. In his 11 year tenure at the UNIS, Mr. Fairchild advanced to the position of the Director of the Music Department at the UNIS. In addition to the demanding duties of this appointment, Mr. Fairchild was also the librarian and stage manager of the Goldman Memorial Band in New York City. This job entailed the coordinating of all music for the rehearsals and performances of a 40 member band that performed annually at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Douglas always accepted challenging work and special projects with the intention of achieving the highest level of performance possible. All of his students that he has taught over his 21 year career have been given the gift of music from one of the best and brightest that ever taught the subject.

A Memorial Celebration to remember Douglas will be held at 2 p.m. on January 18th at the Central Baptist Church, East 2nd Street, Prescott. All relatives, friends, and associates of Douglas are wholeheartedly invited to attend this event to engage in fellowship and enjoy some very fine music.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Douglas Fairchild Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of Prescott in Prescott. All contributions will be forwarded to the Nevada County Cancer Society.