Beloved family member, friend, colleague, accomplished archeologist

John Gordon Douglass, beloved family member, friend, colleague, and accomplished archeologist, died peacefully at home on November 12 at the age of 56 after a brief illness.

Born in Claremont, John loved the outdoors. He was deeply involved in scouting as a youth and earned the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Claremont High School before pursuing his academic passions at Kenyon College, where he earned an A.B. in anthropology with high honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh, completing a Ph.D. in anthropology along with a certificate in Latin American studies.

As an archaeologist, he dedicated decades of his life to understanding the complexities of past societies. His research spanned the ancient and colonial landscapes of Mesoamerica, the American southwest, and California. With a particular focus on household archaeology, settlement patterns, and the dynamics between colonists and indigenous populations, he sought to understand different regions and peoples in the colonial world. He worked extensively in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and the American southwest, building lasting relationships with indigenous communities and contributing to the preservation and understanding of their histories.

Professionally, he was a leader at the firm Statistical Research, Inc., an archeological consulting firm in Tucson, Arizona, for 23 years. He was vice president for research at the time of his death. He was also a registered professional archaeologist, maintaining high standards of research and practice throughout his career.

In addition to these professional accomplishments, he was a passionate educator, serving on the faculty of the University of California, Riverside, Pomona College, and most recently, as an adjunct professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona, where he taught courses in cultural resource management.

A prolific author, he was widely recognized for his expertise in household archaeology, colonialism, and ritual behavior. He authored numerous books, articles and book chapters on these topics, and was writing several more at the time of his death. He also served as general editor of the “Global Colonialism” book series published by the University Press of Colorado.

His commitment to his field included extensive leadership service. He served on the boards of several organizations, including the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society (where he was a past president), the Society for American Archaeology, the Register of Professional Archaeologists, Leaders in Energy and Preservation, and Xela AID Partnerships in Self-Reliance, a nonprofit organization based in Guatemala. He also worked as a volunteer with several community organizations in Tucson.

“John’s gift for building meaningful relationships has left a profound and lasting impact on those whose lives he touched,” his family shared. “He was a generous, kind, and inclusive convener of people, always facilitating new connections and extending friendships. Whether reconnecting with old friends or making new ones, John had a remarkable ability to engage people. He remembered personal details that made each individual feel seen and valued. He loved cooking for others, especially preparing dishes like chili, lasagna, and nopales (cactus pads), which were perfect for sharing with family and friends. John also had a passion for art, history, and photography. During the pandemic, he spent countless hours walking through and documenting Tucson’s many historic neighborhoods with a good friend and sharing them with others on Facebook. He engaged, educated, and entertained so many of us with the stories of these walks.”

His heart was always drawn to his family’s cabin on Mt. Baldy, a place built by his grandfather and filled with generations of family history. The cabin, rich with memories, was a fitting refuge for someone so dedicated to understanding and honoring the past.

He is survived by his mother, Jane Dempsey Douglass of California; brother, Alan Douglass and his wife Joanna of Colorado; sister, Anne Douglass and her wife Gina Scaramella, of Massachusetts; six nieces and nephews; and a wide circle of friends and colleagues.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to Xela AID Partnerships for Self-Reliance at xelaaid.org.