January 21, 2021 3:30 a.m.

Kerwin Doughton, the founder of the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights, has passed away.

As a leader in the Roseburg Rotary Club, Doughton convinced his fellow Rotarians to take out a loan to get the yearly fundraiser going, in 1993. Held at River Forks Park, the annual tradition attracts an average of 25,000 people each year. The festival features 500,000 lights and around 90 displays. Funds raised go to scholarships given out by Rotary to high school seniors.

Brian Prawitz took over coordinating the festival after Doughton handed off the baton a couple of years ago. Prawitz said “Kerwin was one of the most generous and ambitious people I have ever known”. He said that Doughton’s support and vision for the festival has made it what it is today. Prawitz said “He cared for Douglas County deeply. He wanted the Festival of Lights to create hope and joy for people”. Prawitz said Doughton can rest easy knowing he accomplished that goal for two generations of children over the 28 years.

Prawitz said Dougton, a financial planner, had three grown children and one grandchild. He and wife Marilyn were married for almost 60 years. Kerwin Doughton died of cancer on Sunday. He was 82 years of age.