Meet Us At Cove: Jim Wilson And Doug McGehe

Meet Us at Cove: Jim Wilson and Doug McGehe

Friendship often forms in the most unexpected places. For Jim Wilson and Doug McGehe, it began with a shared meal at Cove Community Center, where their rich life experiences brought them together in a community dedicated to connection and wellness.

Jim Wilson: The Car Enthusiast

Jim moved to Lakewood 40 years ago after relocating to Cleveland in 1963. A devoted family man, he has been a widower for 20 years. Jim dedicated 34 years of his life to working at LTV Steel, retiring in 1999 to care for his ailing wife. He is the proud father of two children, has five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

Active and engaged, Jim enjoys a vibrant life. He discovered Cove Community Center in 2022 while attending an intergenerational picnic he read about in the Lakewood Observer and was immediately drawn to it. He stays active through Silver Sneakers at the Lakewood Family YMCA, where he has participated for the last 14 years, and has spent the last two years enjoying activities and lunches at Cove.

Ten years ago, Jim fulfilled one of his dreams by visiting Ireland. A friend brought over travel brochures, and they decided to go together. He loved exploring churches, charming towns and villages, stone walls, and, of course, the forty shades of green. One of Jim’s standout features is his prized 1957 Pontiac, which he fully restored with his son while he was in high school. He drives this classic car to Cove, bringing a touch of nostalgia and delight to the community.

Doug McGehe: The Passionate Volunteer

Doug was born during the Great Depression in West Palm Beach, Florida, and has lived in many places, including Dallas and Fort Wayne, before settling in Lakewood two years ago. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86) and spent his career in sales, starting by delivering Liberty magazines to people’s homes for his father. Doug’s talent for sales earned him a spot as sixth in the nation in a national contest, winning a 1957 Nash Ambassador.

Beyond his professional achievements, Doug has dedicated significant time to volunteering. He worked in radio broadcasting for the blind for 20 years and participated in “Real Men Read,” where he read to third graders in groups of thirty every other week for 15 years.

Doug moved to Lakewood to be closer to his daughter, Michele, while his wife, Joan, dealt with Alzheimer’s disease. He has another daughter, Sue Ellen, who lives in Massachusetts with her husband and cat. When Doug and Joan arrived in Lakewood, they picked up a copy of the Lakewood Observer and thought, “We’ve got to check out that Cove place.” They signed up right away, excited to join the community. Sadly, Joan passed away last year. Joan was a history teacher and the backbone of their business. Doug often remarks, “Joan did all the work.” Despite his loss, he found solace at Cove, where he embraced the community shortly after moving to Lakewood and after Joan’s death.

Almost as soon as Doug arrived at Cove, he started and continues to lead the meal participants, sometimes as many as 75-80 people, in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

A Friendship Blossoms

It was at Cove that Jim and Doug first met during lunch. Their shared interests and backgrounds quickly forged a strong bond. Both gentlemen enjoy participating in trips organized by the Division of Aging and have even visited each other’s homes for dinner, expanding their friendship to include other friends as well.

Doug found that the friends he made at Cove, especially Jim, were a tremendous support after losing his wife. “The variety of offerings and the many nice people make it a perfect fit for me,” he says, echoing the sentiments of many who have found a sense of belonging at Cove.

Jim and Doug’s friendship shows the strength of community and that it’s never too late to make meaningful connections. At Cove, friendships grow, enriching lives and providing support for everyone who visits.