Former State Representative Doug Sayan passed away peacefully at his home on Hammersley Inlet near Shelton in early November 2025. He was 97 years old. Doug was born in June 1928, in Seattle, WA, the oldest son of James Arnold Sayan and Bernice Brighton followed by his three siblings Donald, Sally and Michael.

Doug attended primary and high school in West Seattle. Just before his high school graduation he and 5 fellow classmates joined the Navy during World Word II. He served on the Shangri-la aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. Upon returning home, he married Hazel Escott and started their family life in West Seattle, soon welcoming sons Daniel and Timothy and daughter Rebecca. Doug earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education from UW during that period. He subsequently lost his wife Hazel after her long battle with Huntington’s Disease.

Doug began as an educator in the Seattle Public School system ultimately serving as the principal of Chief Sealth High School. He went on to work within management of the Boeing Company until he was chosen to lead the State Higher Education Personnel Board in Olympia. Upon retirement, in 1982 he was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives for the 35th Legislative District and served four terms, retiring from that position in 1990. Doug married Marilyn Glenn in 1983.

He received Presidential and Gubernatorial appointments to many Boards and Commissions, among them being State Chair of the National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, the State Personnel Appeals Board, the State Developmental Disabilities Commission, the State Judicial Conduct Commission, and the Olympic College Board of Trustees.

Retirement was not a word Doug knew much about. He continued his passion for helping and supporting others. Doug created the Mason County Reentry Coalition and recruited local business and public officials to serve as mentors to assist in the re-entry of individuals returning from prison to community life. Doug was called an “Unapologetic FDR Democrat” and proudly wore that “badge”. He served the community well in his many years of legislative and volunteer service.

Doug was predeceased by his parents, brother Donald, sons Daniel and Timothy, and grandson Gabriel. Survived by his wife Marilyn, sister Sally Jones, brother Michael Sayan (Nancy), daughter Rebecca Ayers (Roger), stepdaughter Lesli Toth, extended family member Ryan Kelley, daughters-in-law Cheri Sayan and Wendy Gardener, grandchildren Jeff and Tim Sayan, Nick Devaney, Tom and Aimee Sayan, 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial mass will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2:00 pm at

St. Edwards Catholic Church - 601 W. C Street – Shelton WA 98584