Dr. Douglas James Fort was born June 9, 1964 in Denver, CO to Sandy and Donald Fort. He departed this life on Monday, September 23, 2024. A memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Stillwater First United Methodist Church. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Doug grew up in West Palm Beach, FL and Independence, KS, later moving to Dodge City, KS where he graduated from Dodge City High School in 1982. Doug attended Southwestern College in Winfield, KS where he graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Biology-Chemistry in 1986 and was a member of the tennis team, the Order of the Mound, Beta Beta Beta Biological Society, Theta Phi Delta, and was also a Masterbuilder. He then went on to Oklahoma State University, where he completed his MS/Ph.D in Zoology in 1988/1990, respectively.

Doug married Deanne Dowell on July 20, 1986. That marriage ended after 28 years, but the two remained close friends and co-workers to this day. To this union three children were born - Chelsea Elyse, Hayley Mae and Troy Douglas. Doug was immensely proud of his children and their careers.

Doug was an active member of the Stillwater community through his church, OSU events and Country Club. To support his children's high school activities, Doug served as the head girls SHS tennis coach for four years during Chelsea and Hayley's high school years, even taking the team to several state tournament appearances.

Doug and Deanne formed Fort Environmental Laboratories, Inc in January 2000. Doug was a highly-respected toxicologist in the field of environmental science and was sought after for his expertise nationally and abroad. FEL has played a critical role in the development and validation of numerous test methods (including short-term embryo-larval assays, EDSP amphibian metamorphosis assays, reptilian reproduction and developmental assays, and fish developmental and reproduction assays). As a recipient of the SETAC fellow award, Doug was a long-time member, served on the board and presented at numerous conferences of the SETAC (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry), SOT (Society of Toxicology) and American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) communities, having served on various committees including the finance committee and world council committees. Doug was also recognized with a frog exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. FEL was the 2002 Tibbett's Awardee for excellence in small business research and he was the author of over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He also served on the Science Advisory Council at Southwestern College and was honored as a Science Hall of Fame member in 2010.

Doug's dedication far exceeded his work in the lab. His greatest joy and passion was his family, especially his granddaughters Olivia and Everly. He enjoyed tennis, pickleball, golf and the OSU Cowboys. Doug will be remembered for his love for his children and grandchildren, his vast knowledge of science, his goofy sense of humor, and his eternal kindness. He will be deeply missed by his family, co-workers, colleagues, and all who knew him.

Doug was preceded in death by his father, Donald Fort; his grandparents Elizabeth and George Fort and Hazel and Gordon Smith; his in-laws Della Raye and Troy Dowell, and sister-in-law Damaris Hett.

He is survived by his loving children, Chelsea Yacovazzi (John), Hayley Sewell (Dustin), and Troy Fort (Quinlan); his granddaughters Olivia Yacovazzi and Everly Sewell; his mother Sandy Fort; sisters Jodie Engelken (Barry), Amy Born (PJ) and Kim Leffingwell (Thad); numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and Deanne Fort Wehmeier (Mark).

Memorials may be made in Doug's honor to the SETAC Endowment Fund in honor of Doug Fort or to Southwestern College c/o Institutional Advancement, 100 College St, Winfield, KS in honor of Doug Fort.