James Douglas Tarpley
May 2, 1946 – October 4, 2024
Memorial Service
Saturday, November 9, 2024, 10:30 am
LifeSpring Assembly of God Church
1224 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501
Reception
Lunch Following Service
LifeSpring Assembly of God Church
1224 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501
Livestream
Memorial Livestream
Obituary
Dr. James Douglas Tarpley, longtime journalism professor and respected Christian college educator and administrator, graduated to eternity on Friday, October 4, 2024 after complications from a cardiac medical procedure. He was 78.
Born in Los Angeles on May 2, 1946, Doug was the first child of Clement H. Tarpley, an athletic New Mexico farm boy who became a decorated World War II Navy veteran, and Grace Lorraine Everson Tarpley, a Minnesota-born “Scandinavian lassie” known for her piano, ice skating, and homemaking talents. Doug and his siblings—Reynold, Sherryl, and Greg—were raised in a brand-new Ventura County, California, subdivision named College Park. Growing up in El Rio, they frequented the nearby beaches, state parks, big-city attractions of Los Angeles, and theme parks like Knott’s Berry Farm, Pacific Ocean Park, and Disneyland.
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Doug’s upbringing was focused on character, country, community service, and Christianity. Both of his parents held civil service jobs supporting area military operations, and the family was active in the Assemblies of God (AG). Doug came to salvation in Christ at a young age, and each summer, the kids spent a week at the denomination’s Camp Pinecrest, high in the San Bernardino mountains. For most of their time in California, the Tarpley family worshipped at El Rio’s Bethany Chapel. It was at this home church that Doug met the love of his life, the founding pastor’s daughter: Patricia Jean McIntosh. Their families had been friends since Doug’s youth, and by high school, the petite brunette had captured his heart with her Scottish spirit, ready smile and sincere love of life and the Lord.
From an early age, Doug exhibited a bent for the arts and humanities, demonstrating giftings in music, writing, painting, and graphic design. Sidelined with rheumatic fever for much of the seventh grade, he learned to draw while schooled at home and corresponded with leading animation artists of the day. Musically, Doug became an accomplished accordion player, and in the mid 1960s (alongside his brother Rennie) won first place for instrumentalists in the AG’s Southern California District Teen Talent Search. They also were featured on a record of gospel music with other youth as part of Christ Ambassadors.
Perhaps as a sign of things to come, Doug’s first job was as a newspaper delivery boy. Always fascinated by journalism, he excelled in student media throughout his time in both junior high and high school. Since he enjoyed interacting with and interviewing people, he served as a writer and photographer for the weekly campus newspaper and the yearbook staff. Doug and Patricia also created a small newspaper for their church youth group, and he found that he enjoyed the entire production process, from idea meetings and assignments to publication design and distribution.
In his teens, Doug also worked part time after school producing hand-lettered signage and artwork for Disco Fair, an early big-box store chain in the area. At his 1964 graduation from Oxnard High School, he won a coveted fine arts award from the Bank of America.
For college, Doug enrolled at Ventura College (a two-year junior college). In 1965, during his second year, his family relocated to Mountain Grove, Mo., as his father completed his 30-year civil service career. Then on June 18, 1966, a month after his 20th birthday, Doug married his beloved Trisha, just 21, and shortly after left for Springfield, MO, where he continued his studies at Southwest Missouri State University to study English and journalism education.
After earning his B.S. in 1968, Doug officially became a teacher, “his holy calling.” He taught English at Eldon High School for several years, while continuing his academic studies. Doug completed a M.A. in English at SMSU in 1972, and earned a second M.A. in Mass Communications History and Theory, with an emphasis in Mediated Communication, through the University of Central Missouri. During his graduate school years, he and Trish also welcomed their first two children, daughter Tamara and oldest son David.
In 1976, Doug and his family moved to Springfield, where he was appointed Assistant Professor of Journalism at Evangel College, the Assemblies of God’s flagship university. There for nearly a decade, Doug taught a variety of media classes and advised the growing staff of Evangel’s yearbook, The Lancer. He acted as managing editor and a writer for High Adventure, the magazine of the denomination’s official boys ministry, Royal Rangers. Doug also served on both Evangel’s Communications and Long-Range Planning Committees, comprised mostly of department heads.
Doug himself was promoted to department head at Evangel after a 14-month sabbatical and completion of his Ph.D. in journalism from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Doug partially chose SIU for the opportunity to study under the venerable Dr. Harry W. Stonecypher, associate professor of journalism. The acclaimed First Amendment educator and other professors nurtured Doug’s interest in journalism scholarship and media law, and in 1983 Doug completed his dissertation, “Fair Use as a Copyright Doctrine: Judicial and Statutory Interpretation.” For decades afterwards, Doug hoped to turn his research into a journalism reference book. Instead, his studies became source material for numerous speaking engagements, scholarly articles, and workshops, as did his research on “American Newsmagazine Coverage of the Supreme Court, 1978–81,” a Journalism Quarterly article.
In 1987, Doug made the difficult decision to leave Evangel to become Chair of the School of Journalism at Regent University. The opportunity to teach exclusively graduate-level students appealed to him, as did the chance to live near the ocean again, albeit on an opposite coast. He and his family, now including youngest son Jonathan, moved to Virginia Beach, as did the national office for the Society of Collegiate Journalists, of which he was Executive Director.
At Regent, Doug focused on teaching a dual approach to journalism from a Christian worldview, to build bridges between ivory-tower academia’s theoretical and philosophical views of journalism and the practical, ethical, professional exercise of the real-world craft. He strengthened student media, encouraged internships and freelance assignments, and introduced on-campus panel discussions with leading reporters, editors, and publishers in print and electronic media.
For a few years of his tenure, Doug and Patricia relocated to Northern Virginia. Regent planned to seed branches of its journalism and government schools in the nation’s capital, in hopes of increasing access to power players and positioning the university as a formidable force in both fields. The ambitious endeavor met with early success thanks to Doug’s foundational efforts, but was costly, thus short-lived.
As department head, Doug also chaired scores of master’s theses, never compromising on intellectual quality and scholarship. At the same time, he expanded his own published research with entries on pioneering female journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Anne O’Hare McCormick for “American Newspaper Journalists, 1925–1950” in The Dictionary of Literary Biography, and Eugene Isaac Meyer, the Depression-era banker-financier-turned-owner-publisher of The Washington Post in the Biographical Dictionary of American Journalism. In 2002, with Regent colleagues Dr. John Keeler and Dr. William Brown, he coauthored the widely cited “Ethics” chapter of American Journalism: History, Principles, Practices (W.D. Sloan and L. Mullikin Parcell, editors). Over his decades in journalism and academia, Doug’s scholarship also was featured in leading thought and professional trade publications including Regent University Law Review, Advertising Age, and Journalism Quarterly.
For the last 14 years of his professional career, Doug returned to his beloved California to serve at Biola University, close to his boyhood home. As the Chair of the Journalism department, then shortly thereafter Dean of Fine Arts and Communication, he strengthened the student newspaper, The Chimes, and established Biola as the cornerstone film school for programs within the broader Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. He expanded program offerings to include more electronic and entertainment media, and added opportunities for students to hone their craft through professional experience.
Under Doug’s leadership, Biola housed the national headquarters for the Association of Christian Collegiate Media and supported an active chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Each year, the university hosted respected conferences and workshops such as the World Journalism Institute to focus on timely topics such as journalistic integrity, media law and First Amendment rights, and the implications of infotainment and internet publishing. More important, the workshops opened doors for students to learn from and network with leading professionals.
Among his most important legacy projects was shepherding the transformation of the school’s existing journalism, media arts, and filmmaking facilities into the Biola University Production Center. The two-year, $3 million expansion began with a generous seed donation from the estate of Joanne and Pepito Perez. The couple were well-known for their vaudevillian careers in Hollywood as “the Twisting Marvel” and “the Spanish Clown,” respectively, and as longtime friends and collaborators of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Other gifts, large and small, completed the funding for the upgrade project, which included a full print, video, and audio newsroom, new office spaces and studios, and state-of-the-art equipment to give students the hands-on training they need to enter the workforce.
Throughout his storied career, Doug was honored with accolades: membership in Alpha Phi Omega, the service honors society; service as a Journalism Fellow, double listing as one of the Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Men of America, numerous inclusions in a variety of Who’s Who acknowledgements, even Great Bridge (Va.) Ruritan of the Year. None was as meaningful to him as being recognized as a champion for thoughtful, well-trained Christians who wanted to influence culture for God’s glory through the information and entertainment. “The call to be a Christian journalist or filmmaker is a sacred calling…every bit as sacred as a calling to be a minister or a missionary,” he often said.
After suffering a number of heart attacks and health scares over several years, Doug retired at the end of the 2016 school year. Though the schedule change was quite an adjustment, retirement afforded him and Trish more free time to reengage in activities that they’d always enjoyed. The foodies enjoyed trying new area restaurants, as well as trying to master the joy of healthier cooking in their own kitchen. Doug worked on refining his photography and watercolor still-life paintings, and returned to his love of reading English literature (Chaucer, Milton, Blake, and C.S. Lewis being among his favorites). He and Trish attended lectures and book signings at the Nixon and Reagan presidential libraries, pieced together giant jigsaw puzzles, and spent hours coloring, watching sports, and baking brownies with their youngest grandchildren.
Music remained a key hobby, and from time to time Doug broke out his red accordion to play a gospel favorite. Family movie marathons moved beyond classics like “Citizen Kane” and “All the President’s Men” to include faith-focused films and wholesome Hallmark TV movie series. And ever brave, in 2022 Doug and Patricia adopted a spunky black Chihuahua mix puppy, Charlie, who quickly took over their hearts and their home.
Travel had always been part of the Tarpleys’ personal and professional lives. Throughout his career, Doug and Trisha had taken teaching trips and vacations to exotic destinations like Peru, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Hawaii, and the family had engaged in church and mission trips to build a parsonage in Costa Rica and to improve healthcare access in Zimbabwe. Though such adventures proved difficult later in life, Doug and Trish, as health allowed, were able to invest more and more time visiting with family and friends near and far. As members of LifeSpring Assembly of God, they enthusiastically supported evangelistic efforts around their community and around the world.
In retirement, Doug remained devoted to former colleagues and students, most of whom had come to see him as a mentor or friend. He was purposeful in staying in touch over the years, often with an unexpected phone call or email of encouragement. Doug often shared Facebook posts about his former students’ successes, and he never hesitated to provide them with a well-timed referral or glowing reference.
More notable still was his devotion to his family. Doug and Patricia joyfully applauded their children’s families and accomplishments, both professional and personal. He was delighted that Tamara followed in his footsteps with her own doctorate from Biola and her career as a college journalism and media professor both in the United States and abroad. He spoke proudly of David’s heart for providing practical help to the poor and underserved through world missions, and of his success as an accomplished architect in San Diego. Closer to home, Doug and Trish cherished the verdant oasis that Jonathan created for their Riverside backyard, complete with an organic farm-to-table vegetable-herb garden and tranquil waterfall feature. Of course, enjoying more fun and fellowship with his eight amazing grandchildren (and six grandpuppies) was the delight of his retirement.
Doug once was asked how he would like his epitaph to read. Characteristically, he replied that he’d have to think about that for some time before answering. But for all who knew him, Doug left a legacy of learning, of excellence and wisdom, of loyal friendship and dedicated service to others, and of deep, abiding faith and love for His Lord.
He was predeceased by his parents, Clement and Grace Tarpley; Patricia’s parents, Rev. “Chuck” and Marjorie McIntosh; and his sisters-in-law, Janine McIntosh and Linda Tarpley.
Doug is survived by “the joy of my life,” “soulmate,” and “best friend,” his bride of 58 years, Patricia; their three beloved children and their spouses, Dr. Tamara Welter (Patrick), David (Carina), and Jonathan (ex. Alysia); and 8 adored grandchildren (children of Tamara and Patrick — Matthew, Caileigh, Beren, Emma, Riley; and children of David and Carina — Aparri, Desmond and Regan). Also left to cherish Doug’s memory are his treasured siblings and Patricia’s: Reynold Tarpley, Sherryl Tarpley, and Greg Tarpley, Richard McIntosh (Judi), Cheryl Gillaspy (Joseph), Cindy Jernigan (Burton), and Judy Bennett (Scott); countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, and thousands of students who were the better for his influence in their lives.
All who knew and loved Doug are invited to attend or livestream the Celebration of Life service on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at LifeSpring Assembly of God Church in Riverside, California. The memorial service will start at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the scholarship fund of a Christian college of your choice or to the American Heart Association.
We always loved being together with Doug, Patricia & family. Such great memories.
I was downtown Snohomish shopping one day & got a call from Doug. He somehow always knew when. Needed encouragement. I sat on a bench and talked as he encouraged me and then prayed. Such a sweet, caring and fun loving gentle soul. You are greatly missed, Doug. Praise God for the promise of heaven where we will see you again! ❤️
When I found one of my life-long friends in college, I had the privilege of getting to know her dad. Dr. Tarpley had just moved east to Regent, my freshman year, but I was blessed to know him as Dad Tarpley, through my treasured friend, Tamara. (As a communications student, even after he left, his love and kindness for his students still filled that department.)
The times that the Tarpley family gathered back in Springfield for family events, summer visits in Virginia and celebrating Tamara and Patrick’s wedding, were all times that I saw Dad Tarpley in action…loving, listening, encouraging, serving.
I have a wonderful memory of sitting in the kitchen with him, during a very busy, intense time of wedding preparation, and Dad Tarpley was warmly asking me questions about me and my family. His gentle kindness always touched my heart. I also have a treasured piece of his artwork – a beautiful piece- the words of my wedding song, hanging in my home as a testament to JESUS and my marriage…and it reminds me of my treasured friend and her talented and generous dad.
I am so grateful for having the privilege of calling this man, who loved Jesus and others so well, Dad Tarpley. And I give thanks for the ways that he touched my heart!
My Uncle Doug was such a warm, comforting, lovely human with a very deep well of empathy. I always felt a warmth within me whenever I thought about him or was around him. He will be greatly missed. Much love to my cousins and Auntie as you navigate forward.
A celebration of Doug, Douglas, Dr Tarpley completely reflective of how he lived his life.
My uncle Doug was unmistakably charismatic, endlessly kind, graciously caring, and unfailingly loving.
When I was about ten years old, my family visited the Tarpleys for a week. I remember Uncle Doug arriving home one evening, having achieved something great in his career, and we all rejoiced with him. He came to my graduation from medical school and congratulating me, ensuring I knew he was proud of me, though we both agreed his Ph.D. was a higher degree. He was a fantastic conversationalist, engaging even my husband in long discussions about all sorts of things. The last time I saw him, he made sure to tell me he prays for me.
Two days prior to my 51st birthday, he texted me:
“Hey, Nephew,
Are you looking forward to that upcoming “celebration” of maturity? Ha. I think you reach that milestone this week on Friday, right?
Anyway, permit me to humbly be the first to wish you the best on your special day. Also, I’ve already whispered a prayer for (1) God’s best for you that day as well as for each through the next year as He continues His transformative work within you . . . as He does within each of us following Him. And, (2) for the Lord to continuing to using you to bless others.
You’re a kind, gentle (most of the time, ha) soul. Happy Birthday ‘maturing’ (rather than ‘old’ ha) Nephew. This family loves you and cares. Tell Art the ‘ol Prof says “hi.”
Here are a few photos to show you some of our life igm recent days. Oh, keep Jonathan, David and Patrick in your prayers, too.
Have a great celebration and blessings on you guys.”
I miss you on earth, and I eagerly await seeing you again in heaven.
I am one of the many in the 1970 graduating class of Eldon High School, Eldon MO. We were among the first, if not the first, of classes that were privileged to be in his care. As I read the comments above they came through as very much the man I remember in English class. Always available for questions or assistance. I appreciate all the other details given about him also. I never knew about the Middle English, but I am definitely not surprised. He loved literature and loved teaching it. I would have loved to have heard him recite the Middle English.
After high school, Patricia came to our aid after I had my first child, Brian Rogers. Being an infant it was difficult to find someone to care for him so I could return to work. She was great with him, and I will be forever grateful for her willingness to take on a tiny baby. It was during that time that you were born, Tamara. You have a special mom, and your dad was a special teacher to many of us from Eldon. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He will always have a fond spot in my memories of high school.
Doug Tarpley was the most influential mentor I’ve ever had. I’m a small church pastor in a small town who didn’t deserve the wisdom, care, and effort Doug poured into my life for many years. He treated me with love and respect and with a genuine desire to help me through the difficulties of ministry. I’ve missed our many breakfasts together and will miss them more now.
Doug taught me his biggest lesson by example in his own life. I had immaturely offended his own family, and I watched Doug live out in a very real way Eph 4:2-3
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NLT): Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
I will never forget Doug’s mentoring of me or the most significant lesson he taught me by me watching his own life. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend his service, but I am watching it online as I write this. God bless you all. – Pastor Dave
Doug was a wise and caring gentleman. I mean gentleman in the full sense. His way with people was to share ideas in an educational manner not to correct or challenge. We had such terrific summer visits here with he and and Patricia, with hopes they would day move over here to Arizona. One of our best Fourth of Julys. He even highly validted our “Presbyterian” church as a biblical church of Christ. He and our senior pastor had much to share about their contacts in common with Pastor’s, Rabbi’s, and University friends and our church involvements in Haiti, Israel and Palestine. It gave us much pride to introduce he and Patricia to our church and community. It was such a treat to have so much in common and with love. And to pray for each other with knowledge of what each were experiencing with life challenges while having God’s assurance and guidance. Tomas and I wish to thank Doug for his life dedication and example of truly serving all for our Lord.
I gradually lost track of Doug after his move from Springfield, MO, where he was a friend and colleague on the faculty of Evangel College, and I don’t remember knowing of his move back to California. I had no idea of the extent of his accomplishments after leaving Evangel. Anyway, I’ll be praying for you, Pat (as I remember you being referred to at Evangel) and the family. I’ll watch the memorial service, which I found out about just in time, after my son Christopher told me earlier this morning of his passing.
When I took the position of Dean of Biola’s Crowell School of Business in 2014, Doug was serving as Dean of Fine Arts and Communication. There was much for me to learn in my new role, and Doug as an experienced and highly successful Dean took the time to guide me. He was patient with my questions, and often would walk with me back to our respective offices after Dean Council meetings helping me debrief the meetings. I count it a wonderful privilege to have experienced the wisdom and good council of the master teacher and academic leader, Dr Doug Tarpley.
Doug was a man of great insight and care. I looked forward to our coffee meetings during his tenure at Biola, which was often filled with stories, laughter, and wisdom. I always felt supported and encouraged by him, which was significant to a young faculty member. I am tremendously thankful for him, his leadership, and his care.
Doug was a colleague at Regent University and I had his lovely wife, Patricia, in class. Dr. Tarpley was a great, solid, Christian gentleman who knew how to relate to the real world. We will see him in heaven.
Doug was a great friend and we will miss him. We will miss our conversations.
Doug was a mentor and a friend who went above and beyond for his people. I remember staying with him for quite some time as I looked for an apartment, remember him going above and beyond in the classroom, remember his open door … and I remember that he dreamed in such a way that it allowed me to dream bigger for my life. Really, I have missed him for more than 20 years in the sense that I graduated from his excellent program and he moved to California. But that distance wasn’t so bad with modern technology; he was always willing to share a wise word or offer encouragement from a distance. Now, sadly, the world lost a light, but he gained heaven! Thank you Dr. Tarpley for everything. Rest in peace 🙏
I did not meet Doug at Biola University when I came on campus in August 2018. However, I came across a young man, Matthew Welter, who attracted my attention. Then I wanted to know who had influenced the young man’s character.
As I was working with Matthew, making pizza in the Biola cafeteria on a weekly night shift, we engaged in rich conversations, mentorship talks and prayers afterwards…. throughout our time, my friend Matthew revealed me the name of his mom: Tamara Welter who had traveled to Africa to teach journalism. My niece was in that class and had told me about Dr Tamara…
Once back home in the US, Dr Tamara introduced me to the family, including to her father Dr Douglas Tarpley. I met him during several occasions such as birthday parties, graduation, etc. We had some good conversations with him, learning from his experience and wisdom… Hence, I understood the source and origins of Matthew’s spirit of wisdom and character: Grandpa Doug!
I am happy I met him and value the time we had together and it’s impact on my ministry. Glory to God.
I’m the first International Indian student who came under the wings of my beloved professor, mentor and friend Dr Tarpley at the former Regent University Washington DC campus for Journalism..
Dr Tarpley hosted a birthday celebration for me which I can never forget. He prayed with me. He was a great friend. The Lord used him greatly in my life and in my early years in America. I’m forever grateful to God for him
I have few memories of Uncle Doug. His family lived in Springfield the first years of my life then moved. The WHOLE family rarely got all together while I was growing up. Most of the events were for an anniversary or a funeral. Doug seemed like a driven man though. He loved his parents, like all the Clem and Loraine clan. Family was a big thing. He seemed always in control like an actor who always know his lines. Always pointing you to the important. Nothing’s petty, everything well thought through. I am so thankful that my dad had such a good friend in Doug. He could have had no better one. Like Jesus. On a mission and making the most of everything. I guess that’s what I appreciate the most about him, his friendship with my own Father. I wish we had had more faith to carry you through. Everyone will miss you.
I was touched deeply by this service. Doug was my journalism professor at Evangel College (now University) from 1982-84.
He convinced me to come to EC with his belief that we as Christians could be in the marketplace & make a difference. After a time I wanted to give up and go home. But his encouragement to stay & belief in my skills spurred me on & I stayed, graduated & have been writing ever since.
Truly blessed to have known him.
Some of my most favorite memories growing up were when our families were together.
One time we were all visiting at our Grandma & Grandpa McIntosh’s house and I remember we got to go to Disneyland together and had such a fun time together.
Another time, the Tarpley family came up to visit us in Washington and we all drove up to Canada together in their van. We went to Victoria BC and Buchart Gardens. It was a fun trip.
One summer, while Uncle Doug was in school for his PhD degree, we visited them in Carbondale, Illinois and had a lot of fun.
Again, over another summer, my family went on a cross-country road trip and stayed with the Tarpley’s in Chesapeake, Virginia. It was another great time visiting and hanging out.
I loved hearing his stories about he and my Dad and my other aunts and uncles growing up together in “El Rio”. These trips were always so much fun, and Uncle Doug was a big part of making things fun!
I have always admired him for demonstrating what it means to be a man, a follower of Jesus, a loving father, husband, and uncle! He set a great example for me and the rest of our family.
Love you Uncle Doug. I miss you! But it’s comforting to know that we’ll see each other again in Heaven someday!
One of my favorite memories with Uncle Doug was when he was up visiting in Washington and was at our house in Lake Stevens.
I always loved listening to him speak in “Middle English” and asked if he would share a little on this visit. He paused for a moment to get into the right mindset, and then started speaking in what sounded like a foreign language. It was absolutely not understandable, but it sounded so cool!
Then, as usual, he translated what he had just said from Middle English into modern English, and gave us a quick tutorial on some of the words and helped made it make sense. I was always amazed and impressed that he could do that at any time.
I just loved being around Uncle Doug. He was always such a great conversationalist and good listener. He asked such thoughtful questions and always had great wisdom to share. I will miss him a lot. See you again in Heaven someday Uncle Doug—save me a seat next to you so we can talk!
I can hear the old English rolling off my dad’s tongue. Thank you for that memory, Stefan!
We love this man! Such an intelligent, kind and encouraging person! John and I have been receivers of his sincere encouragement with Insight and warmth that always gave us hope and strength. He will be greatly missed! We pray for his loved ones! Love, John & Sharon Curtis