Douglas "Doug" James Garvin

Douglas James Garvin, 64, of Eldorado, Texas, was called to his eternal home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Douglas, or Doug, as most family and friends knew him by, was born in Sonora, Texas December 24th, 1961, to Sammie Laverne Nichols Garvin and Dee Jay Garvin.

Doug grew up on the family farm outside of Eldorado. Early on he loved animals, gardening and caring for the land. Doug’s loving Mother taught him important life skills of cooking, sewing, laundry and driving…knowing her years would be cut short after her cancer diagnosis as well. She, along with Dee Jay, instilled in Doug the importance of being self reliant and the value of hard work and having strong work ethic. His first venture into the entrepreneurial world was while he was still in high school, selling riding lawn mowers and doing yard work in Eldorado. During his high school years Doug became interested in flying and a few months before graduation he made his first solo flight.

Doug graduated from Eldorado High School in 1981 and attended Tarrant County Junior College.

Doug returned home after his college stay eager to begin his life journey of constant learning, inventing, and building with a variety of interests and pursuits which included small engine repairs, mowing, landscaping, installing sprinkler systems. In the early part of his career he maintained the Eldorado Golf course and airport maintenance. Each was a stepping stone to the next venture. This lead to his first business, Doug’s Lawn and Leisure. During these early years Doug began hiring young guys from high school to help him in his work. Only one stayed for the duration and he not only became a lifelong friend and later a business partner, Richard Gibson.

Doug was introduced to the fiberglass business and built giant satellite dishes, greenhouses, oilfield tanks, deer blinds, and water troughs. He had specialty orders at times which included planters and stock tanks. Whatever someone ask for, Doug was always willing to try and build.

In 1987 Doug and Richard established G&G Fiberglass. At the start of their business the main product was oilfield tanks, which they built delivered and installed.

In the mid nineties, Mike Sproul approached Doug with the idea of producing deer blinds but with a different design. Doug was up for the challenge and after some trial and error the Pot Belly Deer Blind was born, with the slogan, “ more room in the middle.” They were an instant success and were sold throughout many states and Canada. Doug had a giving heart and due to the success of the business they were able to donate a product to the West Texas Rehab Center annual telethon each year, continuing through 2026.

As the business grew more employees were needed. One employee, Veronica Mejia, became a good friend and later Doug’s wife. During those years a special relationship was formed. Due to Veronica’s influence, Doug gave his life to his Lord and Savior and later was baptized at the Coming King’s Sculpture Garden on the hill overlooking Kerrville, Texas. On December 19th, 2015 Doug and Veronica were married. They became faithful members of Agape Assembly of God Church where Doug became a deacon and served on the church board. Doug always had an extra Bible in his vehicles for anyone who needed one.

Aside from Doug’s dear Mother and his devoted wife, there was another woman in his life who loved him dearly and always had his best interest at heart. Donna married Dee Jay in 1978 when Doug was sixteen years old. Donna has wonderful memories of Doug being the ideal son. He was kind, helpful, loving and described as the “ light of her life.” The three of them worked together and enjoyed traveling together. Their many trips, from the coast of Texas to Alaska and many place in between, gave them many shared memories. Recently, Doug shared the following: “After Dee Jay and Donna got married Dee Jay bought a pop-up camper and we took some trips together to Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado. I enjoyed going with them to Alaska and Lake Tahoe. Thank you Donna for all the memories I had with you.”

Doug loved to travel and one of his favorite trips was to Puerto Rico with Veronica.

Along with traveling Doug loved the family fishing lease on the Pecos River where he searched for arrow heads and other Indian artifacts that were left behind many years before. Doug loved flying, trains, snow skiing, fishing and time seen with his family and Veronica’s. As a pilot Doug enjoyed his time in the sky and felt freedom and close to God while in the heavenly spaces.

Doug loved to cook and especially enjoyed campfire cooking in is favorite Dutch oven. He and his Dad were the driving force in a long time tradition of hosting the Garvin Family reunions and did the cooking.

Three years ago when Doug received the diagnosis of stage four cancer and six months to live he immediately began researching alternative treatments, medicines and started a healthy diet. His God, changes in his diet and alternative medicines along with chemo extended his life three precious years. Veronica has a been a most loving and devoted life partner and has been a constant presence from the first diagnosis. She went to every doctor appointment, test and chemo treatment with Doug. As things progressed these last few months, she has devoted her self to caring for Doug, he wanted for nothing in his last days.

Doug wanted a thank you note to be sent for everyone that has helped and encouraged him in his three year journey with cancer.

“Thank you dear ones… Veronica and I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to help us in our time of need. Every act of love, kindness and generosity has not gone unnoticed, from the smallest to the largest…all were accepted with love, appreciation and gratitude.During our three year journey dealing with my cancer, God has put a multitude of angels in our path disguised as family, friends and acquaintances to aide and guide us any way they could…nothing has gone unnoticed or forgotten. We are so appreciative God allowed us to know such wonderful people. Veronica and I pray God grants blessings on each one of you.To thank everyone by name would take at least several pages and it would be heartbreaking to us if we accidentally left out one name by accident. There are a few exceptions Veronica and I think must be recognized as they have been with us through this journey from the beginning. With grateful hearts we thank Sonia Castro my PCP, who started this journey with me and was an ever present help with medical help and advice. Dr. Raj Cheruku for his medical help and expertise. Dr. Ben Edwards, Dr. Micah Jackson and his wife Tye, we thank you for your medical help, wisdom, encouragement and prayers. Thank you for helping to extend my life from the initial diagnosis of six months to three years.I also want to thank the men’s ministries and those who faithfully prayed and sent me scriptures daily. They gave me strength and courage to keep going.Last but by no means least, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for never leaving my side..whether it was on the mountain top or through the valley of the shadow of death…a constant presence in my life and Veronica’s. I thank Him for His eternal love, mercy and grace and the gift of three years to be with my family and friends and to help me see what true love really is. May God’s love, grace and blessings be bestowed upon all of you. Doug and Veronica Garvin”

Doug is survived by his wife, Veronica, two step-children, Jonathan and Evalyn Mejia and parents, Dee Jay and Donna.

Doug was preceded in death by his Mother, Laverne, step-brother, Royce Hite and step-son, Andrew Mejia.

Doug now resides with his Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus. Those of us who know and love him feel his time on earth was cut short but we are all grateful he is now healthy and pain free. If Doug could share one last conversation he would ask if you have made the decision to accept Christ as your Savior…your eternity depends on it.

Fly high with Jesus, Doug. We will see you again.