Mr. Douglas McLaren, 85, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017, at his home in Natchitoches. A graveside service, officiated by his cousin, the Rev. Olan D. McLaren, was at Weaver Cemetery in Flora at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22. Mr. McLaren, born Aug. 16, 1932, in Flora graduated from Provencal High School in 1950. He served four years in the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in the 506th Strategic Fighter Wing, Dow AFB in Banger, Maine, during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He graduated from Northwestern State University with a BA degree in education, and from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling, Administration, Supervision, Psychology and Sociology. Additionally, Mr. McLaren achieved advanced work beyond a Master’s degree exceeding 30 hours at SFA. Mr. McLaren taught math, English and Louisiana history at Logansport High School, where he also coached junior high football, varsity football, girls’ basketball and track. While there he served as a guidance counselor and assistant principal. He was appointed Supervisor of Special Services for DeSoto Parish schools in 1965. He was elected Superintendent of DeSoto Parish and served for 13 years where he developed and initiated the Four-Phase Program for quality education which received national recognition by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. All teachers in DeSoto Parish and 48 professors from NSU were involved in this program. He also initiated reading and math laboratories, and provided kindergarten programs for all schools in the parish. He served in various capacities for the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. Mr. McLaren was named Who’s Who in Louisiana by the United States Public Relations Service and was inducted into the 2015 Hall of Distinguished Educators at Northwestern State University. Very active in his community, Mr. McLaren was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Phi, a past Master of the Masonic Lodge, president of the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce where he also served as a member of the board of directors. He served on the DeSoto Hospital Association, was a member of the Walter Ledet Coffee Club and attended Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches. Mr. McLaren was preceded in death by his parents, Severene and Frank McLaren; five brothers, Spence, Rufus, Vernon, Ernest and Robert McLaren; and one sister, Patsy McLaren Brittain. Mr. McLaren is survived by his wife, Patricia Todd McLaren; his two daughters, Rosemary McLaren McQueen and husband Steve of Gonzales; Jeannette McLaren Meredith and husband Shawn of Kilgore, Texas; and his grandchildren, John Elvy McCullough and wife Christie, Cali Rose McCormac and husband Robbie, and Matthew Steven McQueen and wife Amy; two sisters, Margie McLaren Sparks and husband Gerald of Provencal and Ola Vowell of Humble, Texas; two stepsons, Pat Todd Jr. and Tim Todd and wife Sonja of Fairhope, Ala.; two stepdaughters, Jennifer Todd and Jessica and husband Scott Saffell of Baton Rouge; 11 step-grandchildren, Jonathan, Patricia and Shelby Todd, Anna Marie McClung, Caroline Todd Denton, Rebecca Todd, Marshall Watson Jr., Jane Ann Watson Moreland, Bryan, Sarah Beth and Anna Claire Saffell; and one great-granddaughter, Evelyn Moreland. Pallbearers were John McCullough, Matt McQueen, Mike McLaren, Robert McLaren, Chris McLaren, Ernest McLaren, Pat Todd Jr., and Tim Todd. Honorary pallbearers were Doug Spears, Dennis Coleman, Don English, L.E. Sklar Jr., and the Walter P. Ledet Coffee Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Douglas McLaren Scholarship Fund at NSU for a student of education.