
Professor Dan Clayton Doulet, a resident of Amelia Island and a retired professor from the University of Tennessee, passed away at the age of 91 on October 24, 2018 at Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Professor Doulet was born September 7, 1927 in Cocoa Beach, Fla. as the second child of Leandre Louis Doulet and Katherine Beatrice Cox. He graduated from Landon High School in Jacksonville, Fla., after which he attended the University of Florida, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1947 and Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1953. He joined the Engineering Department at the University of Tennessee as a professor in 1957 and was head of the Department of Industrial Engineering from 1970 to 1976. Professor Doulet built a successful consulting practice and along with partner Robert Baker built three manufacturing facilities in the rural areas of east Tennessee, bringing much needed employment to those areas. The companies were Engineer Products Inc., Grainger Industries Inc., Dunlap Industries Inc., a zipper manufacturing company that just celebrated 53 years, and American Accessories Inc., an importing company that was formed from Grainger Industries Inc. and Engineer Products, Inc. Professor Doulet taught courses geared toward students working in international fields and manufacturing. His engineering economy course was one of the most popular electives across the college because of the real world experiences he brought to the classroom. Professor Doulet retired from UT in 1992 after 35 years teaching at the university.
He served as an inspiration and a mentor to a generation of industrial engineering alumni who became successful entrepreneurs, business owners, captains of industry and a NASA project head. "It is not unusual to meet with alumni who talk about the passion for change and improvement they have because of the influence of Professor Doulet. As both an alumnus and a faculty member, he represents the best of the department and the University of Tennessee," said Professor and department head, John Kobza recently. In order to recognize and celebrate the achievements of outstanding former faculty and alumni in 2016, the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering established a Hall of Fame and inducted Professor Doulet, a former department head and long-time professor, as the inaugural member of that Hall of Fame.
Upon moving to Amelia Island, Dan and wife Katherine became involved with the Amelia Community Theatre with Dan serving as president of the Board of Directors during the 2009-2010 season and being one of the leaders during the capital campaign years to build the Main Stage theater. Dan was also active with the theater guild, serving as an officer. He and his wife, Katherine, were honored as ACT Volunteers of the Year in 2009.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Katherine Johnston Doulet; only child, son Clayton Joseph Doulet; daughter-in-law, Dianne; and brother, Louis Durwood Doulet.
A memorial service for Professor Dan Doulet will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2018 at the Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Road, Amelia Island.
The family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Road, Amelia Island, FL 32034 or to Amelia Community Theatre, 207 Cedar St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
The family of Professor Doulet would also like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the Baptist Medical Center Nassau ICU nursing staff and doctors for the compassion and care given to their loved one.