Steve Doak

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Steve Doak

March 18, 1953, - July 15, 2019

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Steve Doak passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 66 years of age. He was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in May.

He was an incredible father and a friend to many. Born in Goodland, Kan., on March 18, 1953, to Wayne and Vonda Doak, his family settled in McCook, Neb. On Sept. 15, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Patty O’Neil. They brought three beautiful children into the world and raised their family in Denver, Colo.

Steve was a highly accomplished civil engineer, specializing in aviation and the design of airport runways. He enjoyed his work and his intelligent and aesthetic eye for design showed in many aspects of his life. He was always able to see how things could be done better. With his lovable stubbornness he raised his three kids to appreciate the same, a love of beauty, perfection, and a job well done. He loved to spend time in the sun, pool side, ocean side, and on the lake. He cherished nothing more than time spent with his family.

He took great pride in everything he did. He was admirably meticulous, having an intentional position for all his belongings. This attention to detail included his personal grooming; he would always comb his already perfectly placed hair before getting out of the car. He thoroughly enjoyed a sense of order and organization, a quality he passed on to all of his kids.

He loved the great outdoors and had a deep appreciation of nature. From the mountains to the desert, Steve could be found relaxing, camping, fishing, four-wheeling or riding his Harley across the country in one of many annual bike trips. He enjoyed these adventures with his brothers and several long-time friends. His Harley was his prized vehicle for many of his years.

He also immensely enjoyed music. He had a natural sense of rhythm, a beautiful singing voice and a melodic whistle. He was actually quite the thespian, creating characters and silly voices that his loved ones got to enjoy randomly in their voicemail. His kids remember after dinner ice cream outings and many hilarious voices their dad would invent to entertain them.

He was smart, playful and creative - a wonderful balance of responsible role model and kid at heart. Not only was he a great father to his own children, but he became a much needed and very loved father figure to his sons-in-law. He was also an incredibly loving and very excited grandfather to his only grandson. He left this world surrounded by loved ones listening to talented musicians play some of his favorite songs. Those who were with him say that he took his last breath in sync with the music.

He was preceded in death by his mother.Vonda Doak, his father Wayne Doak, and his brother, Stanley Doak.

He was survived by his former wife and lifelong friend, Patty O’Neil; his siblings, Sandra Doak-Budzinski (Mike Budzinski), Sid Doak (Sue Doak), Spence Doak (Tammy Doak), Shonda Grant (Stu Grant) and many loved nieces and nephews; his children, Maggie Doak (Matt Reeves), Kyle Doak (Tara Doak), and Emily Ulibarri (Ray Ulibarri); and his grandson, Lucius Ulibarri.

In lieu of flowers, Steve requested that donations be made to his grandson’s future college education fund. Donations can be made on behalf of Lucius Ulibarri to Kyle Doak for processing/handling/deposit (5121 Country Squire Way, Fort Collins, CO 80528.)

Steve’s memorial service will be on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, at 2 p.m. CT at Herrmann Jones Funeral Home, 607 Norris Avenue, McCook NE 69001, followed by a procession to the cemetery. Motorcycles are encouraged.

Immediately following there will be a celebration of life at Lighthouse Marina at Hugh Butler Lake for friends and family to gather, eat and share loving memories of Steve.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.