By Sofia Santana
Sun-Sentinel
Copyright 2007
All Rights Reserved
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Broward Sheriff’s firefighter, and father of three, recently succumbed to a series of heart attacks that officials say began when he was on duty.
He will receive a firefighter’s funeral Wednesday in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Michael Douthitt, 48, of Wellington, died Friday, just days after he underwent emergency heart surgery to clear a blocked artery.
On July 2, he responded to a trailer fire in Pembroke Park, after which he had to tear apart and clean out the insides of the structure to ensure the fire would not start up again, said his wife, Ruth Douthitt. It was after that job that Michael Douthitt began to feel ill, not realizing he was experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, his wife said.
“He thought he had the flu,” said Ruth Douthitt, a former Delray Beach firefighter who Friday tried to save her husband’s life by doing CPR.
Mr. Douthitt had been with the agency since 1984, when he was a paramedic with what was then Broward County Emergency Medical Service. That agency merged with Broward County Fire and then in 2003 became part of the Sheriff’s Office.
He last was assigned to Squirt 17, of the 32nd Battalion, covering Pembroke Park and West Park.
Colleagues plan to honor the family man and his career at the service but also are making arrangements to remember the passionate sports fan and animal lover in Mr. Douthitt.
Flowers at the service will be orange and aqua - Miami Dolphins colors. A color guard plans to carry the flags of the Florida Marlins, University of Miami Hurricanes and the Dolphins.
Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to any animal rescue organization, because the Douthitts had over the years adopted several dogs from such groups.
Michael Douthitt is survived by his wife of 20 years; daughters Heather, 20, and Shelby, 15; son Andy, 14; brother David Douthitt, of Atwater, Ohio; and father Clinton Douthitt, of Pompano Beach.
Visitation will be today from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 200 W. Copans Road, Pompano Beach. Services Wednesday are scheduled for 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, 301 E. Broward Blvd.