Steve Doak
August 25, 1925 — February 10, 2011
Steve Doak
Harold W. Doak
August 25, 1925 - February 10, 2011
Harold W. (Steve) Doak, a valued member of 'The Greatest Generation', broke free from the bonds of Alzheimer's disease to join his bride Lou Jean in a heavenly reunion on Feb. 10, 2011.
Visitation with his family will be Friday, February 11 from 1-2 PM at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. Services for Steve will follow at 2 PM in the OakCrest Chapel with Rev. Sephen Ramsdell officiating.
A memorial video honoring his life will be shown during the visitation. Private burial will be held later at Waco Memorial Park.
Steve was born August 25, 1925 in Sturgis, Michigan to Ralph and Elsie Doak. He was the youngest of 5 children and became a highly motivated student and basketball player in Buchanan, Michigan graduating from high school at 16. He joined the U.S. Navy and served on a PBYsubmarine hunter aircraft in the North Pacific during WWII. In 1944 he met his wife of 62 years, Lou Jean, and they married on May 19, 1946.
Steve graduated from Valparaiso University, where he played basketball (and competed against the Harlem Globetrotters in 1948) and then received his Masters in Education at the Univ. of Houston. His first love was education and he became a principal in several schools in Michigan and Florida before entering the textbook business where he rose to the position of Vice-President with Doubleday Publishing. Upon retirement from the book business he returned to the world of education where he became known as 'Coach Doak' at Valparaiso High School as he guided his tennis teams to several championship seasons including a state title.
He and Lou Jean then returned to Texas, where in 1981 he became the Assistant Personnel Director at SMU retiring from that position in 1985. Throughout these years he worked diligently at his golf and tennis game always seeking the perfect 'drop shot' in tennis. In the end though, Steve will be remembered for the compassion he showed to his fellow man, the courtesy extended to all he came in contact with and that above all he was a true gentleman who demonstrated respect for each person with whom he had contact.
Steve is survived by by his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Donna Doak; granddaughters, Stephanie Doak of Arlington; Samantha Urbantke and husband, Tab of Rockwall, Texas along with two great-grandchildren, Doak and Claire Urbantke.
No words can express the heartfelt appreciation the family has for the incredible staff at Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Center who ministered and attended to Steve as well as became his dear friends during the past 3 years. The care and compassion of the entire staff is worthy of being called 'legend'.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center, 1700 Woodgate Dr., Woodway, TX 76712.
August 25, 1925 - February 10, 2011
Harold W. (Steve) Doak, a valued member of 'The Greatest Generation', broke free from the bonds of Alzheimer's disease to join his bride Lou Jean in a heavenly reunion on Feb. 10, 2011.
Visitation with his family will be Friday, February 11 from 1-2 PM at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. Services for Steve will follow at 2 PM in the OakCrest Chapel with Rev. Sephen Ramsdell officiating.
A memorial video honoring his life will be shown during the visitation. Private burial will be held later at Waco Memorial Park.
Steve was born August 25, 1925 in Sturgis, Michigan to Ralph and Elsie Doak. He was the youngest of 5 children and became a highly motivated student and basketball player in Buchanan, Michigan graduating from high school at 16. He joined the U.S. Navy and served on a PBYsubmarine hunter aircraft in the North Pacific during WWII. In 1944 he met his wife of 62 years, Lou Jean, and they married on May 19, 1946.
Steve graduated from Valparaiso University, where he played basketball (and competed against the Harlem Globetrotters in 1948) and then received his Masters in Education at the Univ. of Houston. His first love was education and he became a principal in several schools in Michigan and Florida before entering the textbook business where he rose to the position of Vice-President with Doubleday Publishing. Upon retirement from the book business he returned to the world of education where he became known as 'Coach Doak' at Valparaiso High School as he guided his tennis teams to several championship seasons including a state title.
He and Lou Jean then returned to Texas, where in 1981 he became the Assistant Personnel Director at SMU retiring from that position in 1985. Throughout these years he worked diligently at his golf and tennis game always seeking the perfect 'drop shot' in tennis. In the end though, Steve will be remembered for the compassion he showed to his fellow man, the courtesy extended to all he came in contact with and that above all he was a true gentleman who demonstrated respect for each person with whom he had contact.
Steve is survived by by his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Donna Doak; granddaughters, Stephanie Doak of Arlington; Samantha Urbantke and husband, Tab of Rockwall, Texas along with two great-grandchildren, Doak and Claire Urbantke.
No words can express the heartfelt appreciation the family has for the incredible staff at Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Center who ministered and attended to Steve as well as became his dear friends during the past 3 years. The care and compassion of the entire staff is worthy of being called 'legend'.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center, 1700 Woodgate Dr., Woodway, TX 76712.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Steve Doak, please visit our flower store.
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