Rema Lane “R.L.” O’Steen, Jr., 97, one of the men who designed many of the buildings in Douglas and gave the community its look, has passed away. Mr. O’Steen, a World War II veteran who later became a gifted architect in civilian life, left his stamp on a number of local buildings, including churches, schools, government buildings, and private residences. Vibrant and active well into his 90s, Mr. O’Steen was an important member of the Douglas-Coffee County community who will be greatly missed.
Mr. O’Steen, passed away on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. O’Steen was born on Feb. 4, 1921 in Guysie to the late Rema Lane O’Steen, Sr. and Arlo Bennett O’Steen.
During World War II Mr. O’Steen was trained as an aerographer at the Norfolk, Virginia Naval Base and was then stationed in Key West. He later achieved both an architectural degree and a structural engineering degree through correspondence school from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Douglas, was local building superintendent during the construction of First United Methodist Church, which began in 1959, and was the last living member of the Building Committee of the church. He was a former member of the American Legion, former president of AIA, and a member of the Douglas Lions Club for 57 years.
Survivors include daughters Glenda Lu Tregellas of Douglas, and Frances Lorraine and husband Tom Parker II of Saint Simons Island; son Samuel “Sammie” Lane and wife Virginia O’Steen of Douglas; grandchildren Mark O’Steen, Kim O’Steen, Pam O’Steen, Dereck Carver, Tom Parker III, Carey Parker, Richard Parker, Andrew Stewart; and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Rema Lane O’Steem, Sr.; mother Arlo Bennett O’Steen; brothers Jack O’Steen, and Corky O’Steen; sister Audrey Brough; grandson Sam O’Steen; and great-granddaughter Holly O’Steen.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 6, 2018 in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church from 1:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Doug Walker officiating. Entombment will follow at Douglas City Cemetery.