Douglas Edward Sylva

Douglas Edward Sylva passed away on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in San Angelo, Texas. He was born on Dec. 21, 1937, in Marysville, California. Doug grew up in California, where he joined the U.S. Navy in 1955, and graduated from the U.S. Naval School of Music in 1956. He served as the official naval bugler at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., during 1955. After leaving the Navy in 1961, he earned his B.S. in music education from Lamar University, where he met and married Linda Wilson in 1962. He earned his master's in music education from Sam Houston State. Doug became an exceptional band director for many years in his career, even getting to take his Spring Branch marching band to perform in the Orange Bowl Parade in 1977. In 1978, he moved his family to San Angelo, where he proudly bought and ran a Kwik-Kopy Printing franchise. Through his business and lifelong love of playing tennis, he made many friends in San Angelo and throughout his life. Doug very much loved his time in the Navy and outstanding accomplishments as a band director, but when asked what he was most proud of in his life, he replied, "becoming a dad." He continued his love of music by playing trumpet at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church and First United Methodist and playing with the San Angelo Symphony Pops. He especially loved practicing with his daughter, with the stereo turned up very loud, for the timed canon pulls of the "1812 Overture," that he directed during the annual Fourth of July Pops Concert. He is survived by his daughter, Julie Sylva of Fort Worth, Texas; former wife Linda Sylva of San Angelo, Texas; brother and sister-in-law Howard and Coreen Sylva of Indian Wells, California; nephew and wife Mark and Maureen Sylva of Meridian, Idaho, their children, Taylor and Jason; and extended family in California. Julie would like to thank two very special people that treated Doug as family, Frank Cox and Geno Morris of San Angelo. The family also especially thanks The Springs, Gentiva Hospice, Regency House, hospital staff, doctors, Doug's caregivers and friends who visited him during his last years. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steven Sweet officiating. Interment will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Doug's honor to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or the Alzheimer's Association.