Douglas L. "Doug" Cain

On May 4, 2020, Doug Cain, loving husband and father of three children, passed away at the age of 71. Doug was born in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, where he was adopted by Art and Dee Cain and raised in Bossier City with his brothers, Dan and Clint Cain. Doug received his undergraduate degree from Centenary College in Shreveport and his master’s degree in theology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. On June 25, 1977, he married Martie Rannenberg. They raised two sons, Jed and Brian, and a daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Doug was a United Methodist minister in the Louisiana Conference for over 40 years. He pastored churches in DeRidder, Haughton, New Orleans, Shreveport, Natchitoches, Sulphur and Coushatta in addition to serving as a District Superintendent. Doug was a faithful servant of a loving and compassionate God. He believed that grace trumped sin and God’s eternal love provided a path forward for all of us. During his preaching prime, as they say in baseball, Doug “threw 95 mph and could paint the corners,” while somehow still getting a hungry congregation out by noon. He baptized crying babies, soothed nervous brides and grooms, helped children bury parents, and parents bury children. Doug loved his wife and kids the way that he believed God loved each of us – unconditionally – during the best of times and the worst of times. Known affectionately as “Pop” to his granddaughter, Emerson, and four grandsons, Jake, London, Moss and Fisher, he was a master storyteller and a professional driveway hoops H-O-R-S-E player. Not surprising to those that appreciated Doug’s quirky wit and humor, his last words were reportedly jokes with the ICU nurses caring for him at the hospital. But his final joke may have come with the very unique date of his death – May 4, 2020 – also known as May The Fourth Be With You Day – the unofficial holiday honoring the Star Wars franchise. Doug loved the theology of Star Wars. It was the fodder of many a sermon. He introduced his kids to Star Wars in the 1980s and could be seen 30 something years later standing in line at the movie theater with his grandkids on the opening night of the latest Star Wars movie. In typical Doug Cain fashion, with his signature wit and humor, his final benediction to all those he left behind was simply and profoundly – MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.