Douglas “Doug” W. Legacie, age 76, resident of rural Adams, North Dakota, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, at his home near Adams.
Douglas Wayne Legacie was born May 3, 1945, in Lawton, North Dakota, the son of Basil James and Iva Marie (Olson) Legacie. Doug was raised in the area, working on the Legacie farm and helping out many of the other farms nearby. He started his career in the oil and gas industry when he was 16, making a heck of a name for himself with many accomplishments, and helping create many of the standards still used today in the oil and gas industry. He drilled the deepest well in Manila, Utah. He also drilled the fastest, completed in Baggs, from rig set up to casing, in 18 hours. The well was 16,000 feet deep. These both were world records.
Doug was also known as the million-dollar roughneck. He was the only person to graduate from this government-sponsored program. He was the youngest, at 21, to become a toolpusher (company man). Doug and his family traveled the world during his time in the oilfield.
Doug’s biggest passion was building the fastest cars. He loved his first 1967 Bonneville; he won many races and was known as “lead foot Legacie.” He also built many Pontiacs, and was always looking for that next race. When he retired, he moved home to North Dakota and bought a farm. This is where his love of tractors grew. His family would tease him about making them into hot rod tractors. He loved to rebuild these tractors and enjoyed gardening and mowing his big old lawn. He enjoyed his family and friends, telling stories and making you feel like you were right there with him while he told them. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Doug is survived by his girlfriend, Janice Outram; three children, Crystal “Crysie” (Jerry) Hendershott, Douglas Legacie and Miles (Carrie) Legacie; four grandchildren, Heidi (Jeff) Scott, Raymond (Courtney) Hendershott, Kiessa Legacie and Jackson Legacie; five great-grandchildren, Braxton Scott, Bowman and Fynnlee Hendershott, and Owen and Sophia Kitchens; one brother, Basil Jr. “Bud” (Lois) Legacie; four sisters, Jeannette Koyle, Cindy (Joe) Bertsch, Pam Rodacker and Edie Legacie; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Peggy Ann; two sisters, Irene and Barbara; and two brothers, Duane and Richard “Dick”.
The funeral service for Doug was held at the Lawton Lutheran Church, Lawton, North Dakota, on Monday, Nov. 29, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation was held at the church on Monday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Williston, North Dakota, on Thursday, Dec. 2, at 1 p.m.
Arrangements by Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, North Dakota, www.iversonkassianfuneralservices.com.
