ForeverMissed
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 This memorial site was created in tribute to our beloved Errol "Hopetan" Douglas, who was born July 27th, 1960 and died April 12th, 2021.  While our hearts are broken in this hour of grief, we stand assured--through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ--that we will meet him again in eternity.  Therefore, we sing "It is Well."
LETTER FROM HEAVEN

To my dearest family, some things I’d like to say,
But first of all to let you know that I arrived okay.
I’m writing this from Heaven, where I dwell with God above,
Where there’s no tears or sadness, there is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy, just because I’m out of sight,
Remember that I’m with you, every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you, when my life on Earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me, and said, "I welcome you."

"It’s good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they’ll be here later on.
I need you here so badly as part of My big plan.
There’s so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

Then God gave me a list of things he wished for me to do.
And foremost on that list of mine, is to watch and care for you.
I will be beside you, every day of the week and year,
And when you're sad I'm standing there, to wipe away the tear.

And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on Earth, and all those loving years,
Because you're only human, there's bound to be some tears.

One thing is for certain, though my life on Earth is over,
I am closer to you now than I ever was before.
And to my many friends, trust God knows what is best.
I am not far away from you, I'm just beyond the crest.

There are rocky roads ahead for you and many hills to climb,
Together we can do it, taking one day at a time.
It was my philosophy and please I'd like for you,
To give unto the world, so the world will give to you.

If you can help someone who's in sorrow or in pain,
Then you can say to God at night, my day was not in vain.
And now I am contented that my life it was worthwhile,
Knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

When you're walking down the street and I am on your mind,
I'm walking in your footsteps, only half a step behind.
And when you feel a gentle breeze of wind upon your face,
That's me giving you a great big hug, or just a soft embrace.

When it's time for you to go from that body to be free,
Remember you are not going, you are coming home to me.
I will always love you, from that place way up above,
I will be in touch again soon.
P.S. God sends his love.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN
July 27, 2023
July 27, 2023
Happy Heavenly birthday to my friend my dad my motivator it was this morning I was talking about this blessed strong soul that God has taken from us such a such a early stage in his life he was a motivator he was a hard worker and he was my friend Happy Birthday to Hope then Hopeton Watty Douglas. I miss this man so much but God Knows Best
June 27, 2023
June 27, 2023
On this day my Brother Hopetan is truly missed. This is another birthday without him physically but I know his spirit is with us. Listening to his favorite songs give me peace, I also know his spirit is at peace.
I Love You my Brother.
April 13, 2023
April 13, 2023
My Brother, I light a candle for you that will never stop burning. I sing your favourite songs because I know you are with me always. Our love lives on forever. Rest well with the angels my Brother.
April 13, 2023
April 13, 2023
I see a lot, thanks to him. He showed me much. And even in his absence, I can still see.. his boys are men now, strong men. Mama is a mighty tower, stronger than ever imagined. You continue to live through all of us. Always and forever ❤️
April 12, 2023
April 12, 2023
Wow time really fly it's 2 years now since my friend my father my confident my motivator have left this Earth
He has left some precious memories with us that we share with those who know him everyday Hopeton was a person who you can always anticipate for him to give you a joke or word to cheer up
Wow...... this world is so unfair good people always go in the twinkling of an eye rest well my father rest for my friend as well my buddy Hopeton
July 27, 2021
July 27, 2021
My Brother Hopetan, today is Your Special Day. My heart, my mind, my whole being continues to weep. I cry because I miss you so MUCH. I know you are sitting and reasoning with our father God, I also know that you are in no more pain, so rest in peace My Brother until we meet again. I love you forever
July 27, 2021
July 27, 2021
Wow. . Hopeton since you left us it has been unbearable.You were my special friend and i will always hold on to our memories. Happy heavenly birthday. Remember we are both leo.
Love you always
June 21, 2021
June 21, 2021
Father's Day was not the same without you here. It stings to know you and my grandfather were not here for me to say, "Happy Father's Day!" Even so, I am blessed and thankful to have had you both in my life. I pray Jehovah will continue to be my balm in Gilead. I pray that He will allow this pain to sting and hurt less each day. Until I see you again, Unc. I love you.
May 3, 2021
May 3, 2021
Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you! His wings of love abide, God will take care of you! God will take care of you.
I have known Hopeton for more than 20 years. An extra- ordinary person.......
Hopeton or Errol Douglas or i would call him Douglas was a true friend to me a really true friend. He was a motivator to me and my daughter. He always have words of encouragement to give me and my daughter. His favourite words to me was "mi little sister (although we were not biological sister) mi love how you bright and always a try to uplift your self, no Douglas no dunce so continue strive for greatness."

Hopeton was a kind hearted person who always give selflessness to all who came in contacted with him. He was a provider for many families in the communities of Crofts Hill, Kellits, Douglas Castle and many more. in that he provided employment for both men and women so that they could take care of their family. Hopeton was just a giver and not a taker. He give words of encouragement to the young, the middle age and the old. he was a peace maker for the over 20 odd years i have know him Hopeton has never been at war with anyone. Hopeton was a comedian who always make you laugh even when you are down ( what a man to give jokes sah - my favourite words to him). Hopeton was a fighter in order to elevate himself and others. What an extraordinary person he was.

I have lost a friend, a big brother, father and a motivator. Hopeton was a person I could run to for information about farming and farm products. He was very knowledgeable about almost everything. He would always say although mi no go university no Douglas no dunce.

i would go on and on to talk about my true friend Errol Douglas. But one thing i am certain about is that Hopeton has gone on to glory. I say that because i remember the day when we went to Chest Hospital he prayed his prayed of confession and i know God hear his prayer and receive him.

Sleep and take your rest Hopeton
God our father knows best
Until we meet again
Love you
From Lisa and Tash My Daughter
May 3, 2021
May 3, 2021
Even though I didn't get to spend enough time with you; the time that was spent in your last days were pure and true. May your soul rest in sweet peace. As God grant the family the strenght to cope may your memories live on...

Until we meet again.
May 2, 2021
May 2, 2021
My uncle was a kind, strong, honest, selfless and hardworking man who loved everyone as if they were family. He lived life without fear or apology, loved everyone unconditionally and never lost hope in redemption...whether in this life or the next. Throughout his life he constantly faced challenges and setbacks, yet he always remained hopeful and persevered to become one of the most respected and successful members of his community. I say it in that order--respected then successful--because for a man to truly be counted a success, he has to first be one whom others deem worthy of giving respect. My uncle exemplified qualities such as selflessness, empathy and devotion to the betterment of others. Entire communities sprung up and people thrived because of his devotion to them. For these qualities that he exemplified, therefore, he was found worthy of respect and, thus, regarded as a success. After all, "What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?" For as much as he achieved and acquired, my uncle never lost his soul (loving and wanting the best for others), nor did he ever forget what it truly means to be human (loving thy neighbor as thyself). He was, therefore, a true success.  
 
I will always remember you, Uncle Hopeton. I can still hear you giving me counsel, beginning with, "Hey, mi niece...." I can still hear you saying, "Hey, mi niece, you make sure you take you education so you no have to come work hard like mi, you know." I can still feel the pride you exuded for my achievements and triumphs, yet the love and encouragement you gave in my setbacks and failures. I can still hear you saying, "This a my niece...." You always made me feel loved, recognized, intelligent and capable of achieving and doing anything in life. In life, I saw those qualities in you deserving of respect. In your death, I can only hope to not only emulate them, but absorb and live them.

I will forever be Your Niece. See you in the New Jerusalem.

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Recent Tributes
July 27, 2023
July 27, 2023
Happy Heavenly birthday to my friend my dad my motivator it was this morning I was talking about this blessed strong soul that God has taken from us such a such a early stage in his life he was a motivator he was a hard worker and he was my friend Happy Birthday to Hope then Hopeton Watty Douglas. I miss this man so much but God Knows Best
June 27, 2023
June 27, 2023
On this day my Brother Hopetan is truly missed. This is another birthday without him physically but I know his spirit is with us. Listening to his favorite songs give me peace, I also know his spirit is at peace.
I Love You my Brother.
His Life

The Life of an Exceptional Human Being

May 2, 2021
Errol “Hopetan” Douglas was born to Norma Douglas and Maxie Douglas on July 27th, 1960 in the tight-knit farming community of Douglas Castle in St. Ann, Jamaica.  At the tender age of 2, his father migrated to England and left Hopetan to be raised by his mother and grandmother, Susan Duffus.  These women, despite the hardships of life in rural Jamaica, raised Hopetan to be an ambitious, assertive, strong, opinionated, self-directed, determined and spirited man who—even in his last days—knew what he wanted in life and always had a plan in place on how to accomplish his dreams.  His strong spirit, though, was balanced with an equal amount of love, empathy, generosity and sense of responsibility to and for others.  These traits cumulatively, led him to be regarded then and remembered affectionately now as “Mi Big Bredda” by his sister Sharon—whom he affectionately called “Dorette” or “Red Melza,” and was born when Hopetan was 2 years old.  He taught her at an early age that she was like every other child, capable of doing anything she put her mind to.  He took her bird shooting, taught her to fire a catapult, taught her to play cricket and football, protected her while simultaneously teaching her to defend herself on the playground and the school yard, and later in life taught her to drive defensively…saying “Hug yuh corna mi sista.”  On Sunday evenings as children, on his mother’s land in Douglas Castle, he and his young sister would play host to their community of cousins and friends, who all gathered to play dandy shandy, cricket, football and shoot marbles.  He was, even then, numbered among the leaders as he set the rules of play, taught his sister and the other children how to shoot marbles, settled squabbles/played peacemaker when appropriate, and defended himself and his sister from bullies when necessary.  Later when he was blessed to become big brother to Cynthia, Rosemarie and David, he took his place proudly, with a deep sense of responsibility for and a commitment to their well-beings—his strong, protective, kind yet strict presence becoming and remaining a force in their lives.  To his elder sisters Corris and Joy, his presence was just as strong.  Throughout his life, he would push all of his siblings to achieve educational excellence, to pursue their dreams and encouraged them—by his example—to keep getting up every time life knocked them down.

At the age of 16, Hopetan decided that he wanted to become a farmer.  The first crop that he planted was lettuce suckers, which he acquired from a local farmer, Mr. Walker.  He planted the lettuce suckers on one square of land and yielded so much lettuce that he was able to buy a calf.  From there, his second crop was even more bountiful.  He planted pumpkin seeds and yielded so much pumpkin that he was able to purchase his first 1/2 acre of land and build his first home.  Evident that he had blessed hands, a fearless heart, plans for success and no aversion to hard work, Hopetan would go on to yield bountiful harvests throughout his long career in agriculture.  Despite his humble beginnings and humble educational background, he went on to navigate the agricultural and tourism industry in Jamaica to become one of the most successful and well-respected farmers in Douglas Castle and the parish of St. Ann.  At the height of his career, Hopetan was known across the island as one of the major suppliers of produce and meat to the hotels from Montego Bay to St. Mary.  Even more important than the harvests and success he achieved, however, would be the success his drive and ambition would inspire in his siblings, his children, nieces, nephews and members of his community at large.  Each person he encountered would be given the same lessons on the importance of hard work, educational achievement, respect, and perseverance despite life’s challenges.  These lessons, often given with frankness and brutal honesty, led generations around him to push themselves to rise above their circumstances and find success of their own.  Not being blind to hardship and knowing that everyone needs a start, however, he would be the financier for the dreams of not only relatives and friends in his community, but also strangers.

Throughout his life, Hopetan met innumerable challenges and had several setbacks.  As result of hotel closures and divestments over the years, he lost several hotel contracts and suffered major financial losses when many hotels transferred ownership without settling their debts with him.  Despite these major setbacks, he continued to persevere, turning his hand to more life-stock rearing, growing different crops he had not attempted previously, and trying to reestablish business with the new hotels that began taking root on the island.  Even when faced with what seemed an insurmountable task, his hopeful spirit, ambition and belief that one could achieve anything through hard work, caused him to remain devoted to reestablishing and growing his businesses.  He never complained about his setbacks, and at one point told his mother in conversation about these setbacks, “If God should continually bless me, what would happen to the other people in the world who are in need?”  Even during his diagnosis and battle with cancer, he continued to trust God, not complain, and to pray that he would be healed so that he could continue his life’s work of farming and being father to all.  

 My grandmother once told me of a day when her neighbor’s son in the district where they lived, was shot and gravely wounded by gunmen who had come into the area.   My uncle came upon the incident, where several people were standing around afraid to render aide because of fear of the gunmen.  My uncle, without hesitation, grabbed the wounded young man, used his own shirt and towel to wrap the young man, placed him in his own personal vehicle and sped off toward the hospital while pursued by the gunmen.  For miles, he drove with desperation to evade the gunmen and save the young man’s life.  Being familiar with the backroads of the district, he managed to lose the gunmen and made it to the hospital approximately 50 miles away to get the young man medical attention. The young man lived.  

Errol "Hopetan" Douglas was a man above others.  He was a visionary and trailblazer who pulled himself out of poverty by the sweat of his brow, and who encouraged and aided others around him to do the same.  His death has left a void in our hearts and lives that will never be filled, but I can hear him telling us to “get up and keep going.”  He knew and took to heart the scripture which says, “The race is not given to the swift, but to the one who endures to the end.”  He would want us to keep running this race and to endure so that he could one day see us again, smile and proudly say “A my family dis.”



We will love you forever, uncle.  Rest in Greatness.

Recent stories

Uncle Hopetan's Love of Celine Dion

May 3, 2021
Fun Fact:  Between the 1990's to the early 2000's whenever my sister and I would go home to visit for the summer, uncle Hopetan would always pick us up from Norman Manley Airport.  Even before seeing his awesome smile, I always knew where Uncle Hopetan was because he would be blaring Celine Dion...loud enough to be heard back to Kingston, I used to believe.  He would play Celine all the way home to grandma's home.  As a result, I learned the words by heart to almost every Celine Dion song written between 1996-the early 2000's.  As a result of his love for her music, I'm now her fan as well.

Good taste unc'  

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