Born on August 31, 1937, to loving parents, Carl, and Emily Gaston at Brooks Hospital in Fort Sam Houston. Her father Carl would unfortunately pass when Doris was at the tender age of 3 years old. Doris was the youngest of five children. Her older siblings helped raise her, with Carl, her eldest brother, taking a fatherly role. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas and graduated from Edison High School where she met the love of her life, Joe Van Dyke. On July 18, 1958, Joe and Doris were married in his parents’ home in San Antonio. Shortly after marriage, Joe left for the Navy. Doris remained in San Antonio staying with her mother. Doris began working for Triple A, which she often shared fond memories of her employment. During that time, she enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews. She made several trips to spend time with her husband while he was in the Navy. She took her first airplane flight to San Diego to meet Joe, which was her first time to leave Texas. After Joe returned from the Navy they began planning for a family. They had two children, a son James Edward, and a daughter Cynthia Lynn. Doris left her employment to take on what she would consider her most important role in life, to raise her children and take care of her family. Once her children became school age, Doris returned to work at Mac Arthur Park Lutheran School, where she was employed for 20 years. She worked as a teaching assistant with the 3-year old’s, Pre-K, and Kindergarten class. During this time, she also spent countless hours caring for her mother. After retiring, the church would remain an important part of her life. Doris being extremely dedicated to her family, now took on the role of caring for her grandchildren. She and Joe would travel to several schools each afternoon picking up their grandchildren and spoiling them rotten. Once the grandchildren arrived at Grandma and Papaws, Doris would start teaching once again to her grandchildren. She valued her time with her grandchildren and preserved their many works of art. She not only had a special bond with her family at home and church, but she also held a special bond with her neighbors. Doris and Joe have lived in their home for 58 years. Doris had an enduring love for her husband, and an endless love for her children and grandchildren.
Doris is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Joe Van Dyke; two children, James Van Dyke, his wife Elisa, Cyndy Flores, her husband Augie; five grandchildren Lauren Batey, her husband James, Kyle Van Dyke, Shelby Flores, Kody Jackson, Kelsey Garrett, her husband Chase; seven great grandchildren Madison, Emily, and James Wyatt Batey, Zane Jackson, Kaitlyn, Colt and Kacie Mae Garrett; one sister Annalee Mozisck and many more family, friends, and students whose life’s she has touched. All who knew her will dearly miss her.
A visitation will be held Wednesday evening, February 23, 2022, from 6-8pm at
Sunset Funeral Home located at 1701 Austin Highway. Funeral services will be held the following day at Mac Arthur Lutheran Church, 12pm noon, with a committal service following immediately after at Sunset Memorial Park. Face Masks are recommended. The family would like to invite everyone to continue celebrating Doris’ life with a reception at Mac Arthur Park Lutheran Church.
Livestream of the services on Thursday, February 24, 2022 can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/SunsetFuneral/
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Van Dyke family.
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