Dr. Douglas C. Bain Jr.

John 11 (King James Version) Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” Dr. Douglas C. Bain, Jr., longtime chair of the Biblical Division at Blue Mountain College and faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, received his heavenly reward on May 11th, 2025, at age 84. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by family. Dr. Bain was born on November 30, 1940, in Poplarville, Mississippi, to Dr. Douglas C. Bain, Sr., and his devoted wife, Audrey (Smith). The junior Dr. Bain was a resident of Blue Mountain for 41 years (1976-2017); for the last eight years of his life he lived on Ashland Road in Ripley. Doug was the devoted husband of Carlyn McCullar Bain and father to their son, Andrew, both current residents of Ripley, along with Andrew’s wife, Emily and their new daughter. Doug had two older sons by a previous marriage, Kent (Rachel) and Kevin (Hilarie), who reside in Blue Mountain and Oxford respectively. Doug has five grandchildren: granddaughters Taylor, and Lorelei, and grandsons William, Sam and McCord; one great-grandson, Jamie; and niece and nephew. Doug is survived by all of these family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, David S. Bain. Dr. Bain was a committed member of Lowrey Memorial Baptist Church in Blue Mountain. He raised three sons and baptized two grandchildren in the church, both of whom went on to graduate from Blue Mountain College. Doug attended Starkville High School and received his bachelor’s degree at Mississippi College. After graduating from college, he was ordained in the ministry in 1962 and undertook missionary work for a year in Montana, where he planted Miles City Baptist Church. He received his Th.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and in 1974, he took his first full-time position in the ministry as associate pastor and youth minister at First Baptist Church in Tupelo. Beginning in 1975, Dr. Bain served Blue Mountain College for 45 years in the following capacities: Professor of Biblical Studies (1975-2019); Chair, Department of Biblical and Associated Studies (1996-2018); and, Adjunct Faculty (2019-2020). Over the decades, he instructed thousands of students in the following fields of study and courses: New Testament, Old Testament, Biblical Archaeology, Greek (I, II, and III), Church History, World Religions, Ethics, Adolescent Psychology, Counseling & Psychotherapy, and Philosophy. To many of those students, Dr. Bain was a trusted ear as well as respected professor, and he counseled many informally as they sought advice on navigating personal trials and tribulations. More than a few needed consolation over grades received in one of his classes, as Dr. Bain earned a reputation as a tough teacher over the years. Little did they realize that he demanded even more of himself than of them, investing countless hours in class preparation for each of his courses. His goal was not merely to impart information or have them memorize it, but, as he said many times, “to teach them how to think.” Dr. Bain was a committed son, husband, father, grandfather, congregant, community member and friend, frequently visiting those in need. Family members fondly recall that not a birthday, holiday or observance would pass without a card arriving from him with a loving hand-written message, a timely phone call, or both. A testament to his thoughtfulness was his annual display of Christmas cards received from acquaintances old and new. Doug was an avid runner, logging tens of thousands of miles in his lifetime. He, Carlyn and Andrew traveled extensively to Hawaii, the Rocky Mountains, the Canadian Rockies and the Great Smoky Mountains (which held a special place in Doug’s heart due to family connections), where they chalked up thousands of miles on back-country hiking trails. Dr. Bain was a faithful giver his entire life, supporting the church he planted in Miles City, Lowrey Memorial Baptist Church and other ministries. But he gave most fully of himself to others, as his Lord exhorted us to do. Although Dr. Bain devoted his professional life to instructing others in Biblical studies and related fields, his passionate devotion to those around him, and the upstanding manner in which he lived his life, spoke more loudly of his personal faith than any classroom lesson he ever gave or sermon he ever delivered. This world will be a poorer place for his absence and the heavenly hosts will celebrate the homecoming of a true and faithful servant of the LORD God Almighty and his son Jesus Christ Our Savior. Bro. Michael Baker and Dr. Ronald Meeks will officiate. Pallbearers will be Dr. Bain’s three sons and three grandsons. Those wishing to make a donation in his memory can give to the Dr. Douglas Bain Christian Scholar Scholarship at Blue Mountain Christian University or to the Blue Mountain Baptist Church building fund. The family would like to express their appreciation to the caregivers, Martha Turner and Crystal Stephens, and the staff at Gentiva Hospice.

Dr. Douglas C. Bain Jr.

November 30, 1940 - May 11, 2025