Douglas William Essary

Major Douglas William Essary (Ret), 71, of Sacramento, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2016, after living a full and active life. During the Vietnam War, Douglas Essary enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served his country honorably. Upon graduating from Sacramento State University, he joined the U. S. Army, retiring after 20 years of service. During his career, he earned his masters from the Naval Postgraduate School and Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. After his retirement, Major Douglas Essary started a family in his hometown of Sacramento. As a life-long competitive runner, winning dozens of marathons all over the world, he began coaching track and field at Rio Americano High School. There he coached long-distance for more than a decade, giving back to his community. He loved to run along the American River, and all over the Sacramento area. Major Douglas Essary's love for life, running, and his friends and family touched most everyone he met. He will be dearly missed. Major Douglas Essary is survived by his daughter, Sarah Essary, his sister, Marilyn Buergel, and his nieces, Emily and Lynde, and their children. Special thank you to David Deluca, Daisy, Darry, Damian, and Michelle of Deluca Family Residence, and the staff at Mercy Hospice. A vigil celebrating his life will be held at Our Lady of Assumption in Carmichael, February 23, at 6pm. He will receive military funeral honors on April 22 at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetary in Dixon, CA. In lieu of flowers, please share memories here or make donations to Rio Americano High School Athletic Boosters. ===================================================================