The district will be holding a memorial service for former principal Doug Killough in the Leo C. Stuver Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.

Killough was born in Hueytown, Alabama on Nov. 14, 1939 and died at the age of 77 on Sept. 8, 2017. He came to Lewisville in 1982 to be the principal where he served the position for 15 years before moving onto assistant superintendent for the district until he retired in 2005. Even in retirement, Killough actively contributed to both the district and community until his final days.

“He was the patriarch of everything Lewisville High School,” principal Jeffrey Kajs said. “There were principals before him, but anything and everything we know about Lewisville High School started with Mr. Doug Killough, [and] so his impact was tremendous; what we are and what we do is all because of Mr. Killough.”

During his time as principal, Killough sparked many traditions, including Battle of the Axe, and he famously coined the term ‘Farmer pride’ which gave a whole new meaning to school spirit.

Many staff members still look back on the hard work and dedication put forth by Killough; in order to honor his legacy, students, faculty and staff have been asked to wear maroon on Tuesday in his honor.

“The love he had for the students and community showed in everything he did,” StuCo adviser Allison Stamey said. “Anything about Killough was about the Farmers…from the name of his pets, ‘Farmer’ was his dog. Wearing maroon is just kind of our way of paying respect and honoring him as we have his funeral here tomorrow.”

In honor of Killough, donations can be made to the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation for the Doug Killough Honorary Scholarship.