Douglas Joe Knutzen, born on March 29, 1942, in La Grange, Texas, passed away on September 3, 2026. Douglas was the son of Joe Knutzen and Sedie Knutzen.

Douglas grew up in Round Top, Texas, and graduated from the Round Top-Carmine High School and graduated college from Sam Houston State University.

Douglas had a successful career in sales and had two businesses The Westar Company and Brenham Office Supply Services. After Douglas retired and sold his businesses, he worked part time for Tommie Vaughn Ford selling trucks and fleet vehicles.

Douglas was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he served on several committees for over 40 years and ultimately became a lifetime director. Douglas became a member of the Tejas Vaqueros, Los Hombres No Nombre Camp in 2009 where he shared the title of Maverick of the year with his good friend King Cone.

Douglas loved a good party and loved to dance. Douglas would dance with his wife Diana in dance halls throughout Texas. His favorite past time was hunting. Douglas hunted big game in Africa, Alaska and Canada although his favorite place to hunt was in South Texas. Douglas loved quail hunting and was a member of the Cactus Jumpers, where he won two quail hunting titles as a member of the Ram Tuff Team. More than anything Douglas loved to hunt whitetail bucks in South Texas, cook chili and tell stories.

Douglas was happiest at his ranch in Round Top, Texas, "The Tripple D Ranch" tending to his cattle and hunting pigs. He treated everyone as though they were family and truly exemplified the cowboy way. He is survived by his wife Diana Knutzen. His son Douglas Joseph Knutzen and wife Nadia and his grandchildren Sophie Grace Knutzen and Sadie Reese Knutzen.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 412 S. White St., Round Top, TX 78954, with Interment to follow at Florida Chapel Cemetery in Round Top.