Tracy Joseph “Joe” Douglas was born July 16, 1968, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Thomas James and Janice Gay Douglas. He entered into rest on September 10, 2026, at the age of 58, after a valiant battle with esophageal cancer.

Joe was a 1986 graduate of Wayne County High School in Corydon, Iowa, where he was a standout athlete playing football, basketball, golf, and baseball. He was an all-conference athlete in three sports and earned a football scholarship to Graceland University. While at Graceland, Joe played on the Yellowjacket Football and Golf teams. He earned his degree in Physical Education and Health in May 1990.

Upon graduation, Joe moved to Kansas City to work in management at an indoor soccer facility and at the Johnson County, Kansas, Parks and Recreation Department as a greenskeeper. In 1994, he transitioned into education by accepting the position of middle school science teacher at Bonner Springs USD 204, where he also coached high school football, wrestling, and golf. During his tenure at Bonner Springs, he completed a Master of Arts degree in Education.

In July 2001, Joe and his family moved to Diamond, where he accepted a position with the Diamond School District, where he taught Middle School Science, served as the Head Wrestling Coach, and assisted with high school baseball and football. He was named the Gem Award Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the 2004-2005 school year. Throughout the years he taught at East Newton, Westview, and Joplin North Middle School, where he retired during the 2025-2026 school year. During his time at Westview and Joplin North, Joe coached Archery and took his teams to Nationals on two times. On numerous occasions, Joe coached state and national medalists in both youth and high school wrestling. He was also an avid supporter of Missouri USA Wrestling and served on the state board as a district representative. Joe had a knack for seeing and strategizing plays. When Joe was not coaching, he would be found on the sideline taking stats for teams, providing data to coaches to improve their odds of winning, or coaching from the stands. His memory was remarkable and could recall plays or count golf shots that were made years ago..

Joe was a person who never met a stranger. He was a storyteller and enjoyed talking, regardless of whether it was to a random stranger, a good friend, or a family member. He was very involved with youth athletics and would coach not only his sons’ teams, but also provide helpful advice and encouragement to the opponents. With his loud voice, he would startle his athletes at times, but he always followed up with a compliment and encouraging word. He was an excellent mentor to all; however, his family remained his most prized treasure throughout his life.

Joe married the love of his life, Jean Shepherd, on August 13, 1994, at Grace Point Assembly of God in Carthage, Missouri. They grew their family and recently celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary. Joe believed in the Lord for many years, but responded to the altar call and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior on January 4, 2026. Some of Joe’s most precious memories were spending time with his boys, coaching any sport in season, playing golf, and traveling; however, no matter where he was, his favorite weekend activities were attending the Knoxville Raceway and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes football games.

Joe is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jean Douglas, of Diamond, Missouri; sons Taylor Jordan (Lucy) of Diamond; Ty Jaxson of Diamond, Missouri; and nephew/bonus son Joshua Tune of Neosho, Missouri; two grandchildren, Cora James and Tilden Jack; mother Janice Gay Douglas of Knoxville, Iowa; mother and father-in-law, Judy and Charles Yoder of Diamond, Missouri; brothers, Timothy James (Robbie) of Brooklyn, Iowa; Thomas Jeffrey (Sharon) of Truor, Iowa; and Terry Jay (Sareah) of Overland Park, Kansas; Nieces and Nephews, Ashleigh (Joel), Brandon (Emily), Brett (Hayli), Addison (Courtney), Kenzie (Billy), Brianna (Geoffrey), Garrett (Sarah), and Brooke (Jordan); 13 great-nephews and nieces; and extended aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who were considered family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas James Douglas; father-in-law Jack Shepherd; sister-in-law Joan Shepherd Jaccaud; maternal grandparents, Marion “Tumpy” and Alpha Miller; and paternal grandparents, Walter and Rozella Douglas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Diamond GEM Fund, a not-for-profit organization that provides scholarships to Diamond graduates, or the Diamond High School Wrestling Program.