Douglas Everett Bassett descends from William Bassett of Plymouth as follows:
William Bassett and wife Elizabeth
Nathaniel Bassett (b. 1628) and wife Dorcas Joyce
Nathan Bassett (b. 1677) and wife Mary Crowell
Nathaniel Bassett (b. 1712) and wife Sarah Chase
Samuel Bassett (b. 1746) and wife Peninnah Bassett
John Bassett (b. 1770) and wife Mercy Ellis
Stephen Bassett (b. 1801) and wife Hepsibah Eldridge
Eli E. Bassett (b. 1834) and wife Anna Young
Archeus Everett Bassett (b. 1858) and wife Clara Davis
Benjamin David Eldredge Bassett (b. 1887) and wife Elizabeth F.
Benjamin Everett Bassett (b. 1908) and wife Pearl Storness
Douglas Everett Bassett (b. 1942)
News Tribune, Tacoma, Washington, November 10, 2020
Douglas Bassett
August 17, 1942 – November 3, 2020
Tacoma, Washington – Douglas Everett Bassett passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at the age of 78 after a three-year battle with cancer.
Doug was born August 17, 1942, in Tacoma, son of Benjamin & Pearl Bassett. The youngest of 3 children, Doug joins his beloved sister, Diane and brother, Ben in heaven.
When he graduated high school, he met Sandra Lee Bassett—the love of his life. They were happily married for 58 years. Sandy says Doug is the nicest person she’s ever met. We agree! They had a loving son, Doug Jr.
Doug bravely served our country in the Navy aboard a destroyer tender in the Pacific during the Vietnam War. His understanding of the human condition made him a natural leader—and a beloved friend.
With a love of mystery and archaeology, Dad was an avid metal detector and was known to occasionally volunteer on a dig. Back from the war, he found a way to make a living from his treasure hunting passion: he started his own antique business—”The Time Machine”, which paved the way for what is now known as Antique Row in downtown Tacoma.
Doug’s eyes really twinkled when his grandsons, Ben and Andrew Bassett, were anywhere near. He loved and cared for them dearly.
Life isn’t always easy, but Doug’s warm, always-on sense of humor made the best of any situation—even darker times found themselves magically brightened by his smile, sarcasm and effortless wit. He made life fun.
He lived a beautiful life, and left a lasting legacy. Doug is survived by his wife Sandy, son Doug Jr, daughter-in-law Melanie, and grandchildren Ben and Andrew Bassett.
“Thank you for all that you’ve given us, Dad. Your magic lives on forever in our memories and in all that we do. We love you!”
The following item was provided to me by Sandy Bassett, widow of Douglas.
Tacoma News Tribune, Sunday, April 13, 1980
Collector’s paradise
What’s junk to one person can be a priceless artifact to another. One man who found this out, and is thereby making a living, is one Douglas Bassett.
He set up a shop, The Time Machine, seven years ago at 921 Broadway. Four years ago he moved to 765 Broadway, across the street from Gunderson’s. Here his displays occupy what were the magazine-cigar stand of the Winthrop, The Koukura Restaurant, plus additional space.
Occupying one wall of his shop is a bank of drawers, each containing such items as old door knobs, old light switches, handles, you name it. In a display case are items of jewelry, most of it faddish of another time. Any valuable jewelry is kept in his safe.
Displayed on tables are lamp shades, a Bavarian demitasse set, odd pieces of china, old piano rolls, records, sheet music, toy trains and an ant farm.
In addition, his stock includes an ancient acetylene generator, a Morse code teacher, a coffee grinder, a 40-year old street scale and hundreds of glass bottles. Of the latter, some are embossed with the name of the firm selling whatever the contents were. Bassett explained this was done before pasted-on labels were used.
Bassett’s pride and joy is a quart bottle labeled “PCACIFIC BEER, brewed by the Pacific Brewing and Malting Co. of Tacoma.” Some bartender gave it to someone who happened to be passing his saloon at midnight preceding the day the Volstead Act (Prohibition) went into effect.
Much of The Time Machine’s drop-in trade comprises people who are engaged in restoring old houses and searching for items dating back to the time when the house was built.
A large collection of ribbons and badges once worn by the members of brotherhood organizations, military items, books and postal cards are among other items, too numerous to mention. which comprise Time Machine’s stock.
Bassett is an outgoing fellow who loves what he is doing. Whether you go in just to browse or in quest of a certain something, you’ll find him not only helpful and knowledgeable, but fun to chat with.
As a sideline, Bassett is conducting a course, “Introduction to Antiques,” at Pacific Lutheran University on Thursdays from 7 until 9:30 p.m.