He served as the Executive Resources Manager for the Executive Office of United States Attorneys at the Department of Justice since 1999. From 1997 to 1999 he was the Director of Scheduling for Secretaries of Energy Federico Pena and Bill Richardson. From 1993 to 1997 he worked in the White House in the Office of Presidential Personnel as the Deputy Director of Information Systems.

Doug was born in Union, South Carolina and graduated from Union High School, and in 1984 from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

He was an avid film buff. He and his partner spent a portion of their summers at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and supported CAMP Rehoboth almost from its inception. Doug’s interests included astronomy, science fiction, and history. He loved animals and he supported many charitable organizations including Food & Friends and the Humane Society. In the 1980s he served as a volunteer at the Whitman-Walker Clinic. In the late 1980s, he co-founded a GLBT social organization known as "Southerners."

Survivors include his devoted partner of eighteen years, Bernard J. Delia, also of Washington, D.C., his mother, Margaret Smith Sheorn, of Union, S.C., his brother, Wiley "Trip" Sheorn III, of Union, S.C., his sister, Susan Patrylick, of Durham, S.C., a nephew, four nieces and numerous friends.

A private burial will take place on June 3 in Union, South Carolina. A memorial service in celebration of Doug’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2006, at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Food & Friends, So Others May Eat, The Washington Humane Society, or The Washington Animal Rescue League, each of which is located in Washington, D.C.