Garold "Jack" Van Doren II

Garold Van Doren II, of Killeen, TX passed away at age 82 on July 29, 2026. He was born to Marjorie and Garold Van Doren of Roseville, Illinois on September 10, 1943. Though formally Garold II, everyone who knew him called him Jack. Due to a tragic accident which took his father when Jack was an only 2 years old, he grew up as an only child with his mother, Marjorie, who never remarried.

Jack met the love of his life, Sylvia, in 1961 while they were both attending Northern Illinois University, where he later graduated with a BS in Accounting. He was a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College and also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Jacksonville State University. Jack served proudly in the United States Army for 26 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. During his years of service, he was stationed in Virginia, New Jersey, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Kansas, Texas, Korea, and Germany, as well as serving a combat tour in Vietnam. After the military, he worked in tax preparation and taught military science and business for Central Texas College as well as administering their online business program.

Jack loved his wife and family, and he consistently balanced his strong work ethic and sensibility with the pursuit of hobbies and passions he shared with his wife, Sylvia. Together, they traveled, camped, sailed, skied, played golf, and enjoyed quiet evenings on their back porch throughout their 62 years of marriage. He was always there for his daughters, Barbara and Cheryl — coaching their teams, helping with school projects, offering guidance, lending a hand, and even providing discipline when needed. His devotion to his family was steady, generous, and unwavering.

Jack is survived by his wife, Sylvia; his daughter and son in law, Barbara and Joe Adams of Lampasas, TX; and his daughter, Cheryl Bolton of Denton, TX. He had three grandchildren — Zach Adams (Taylor Adams); Tori Tiberghien (Dylan Tiberghien); and Matthew Bolton (Emma Schooley) — as well as two great grandchildren, Levi Tiberghien and Cameron Adams. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and Garold Van Doren.

Jack will be remembered for his strength of character, quiet sense of humor, devotion to his family, and his relentless pursuit of that little white ball on the golf course. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled, the memories he created, the soldiers and students he influenced, and the love he consistently demonstrated – even if he didn’t always talk much about his feelings. Those who knew him will carry forward his example of integrity, loyalty, and deep commitment to taking care of the people he loved. His presence will be profoundly missed, but the impact of his life will continue to be felt for generations.

We are deeply grateful to all of the wonderful people who have shared time and friendship with Jack over his lifetime.

A memorial service with a reception to follow will be held to celebrate his life at 1:00 on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home – 1615 S. Fort Hood St. Killeen, TX 76542.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in his honor to either Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude. His ashes will be inurned at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in a private ceremony later in the month.