Doyle Van Sant, 77, passed away June 4, 2025, at the Phoenix VA Medical Center. He was born to Andrew and Gertie Van Sant in 1947. After attending grade school and high school in Sully, he joined the U.S. Air Force. Following two years of basic training, he was deployed to Vietnam for a year as a military police officer and also in charge of loading mortar rounds. His last year of service was spent at Hill AFB in Ogden, UT, where he met his future wife. They were married in February 1971 and moved to Phoenix in September upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force.
While working in various businesses of painting, carpentry, and maintenance, he acquired many skills, which he used throughout the rest of his life. His hobby besides woodworking and gardening was bird watching, of which he made sure his well-traveled binoculars and bird books were always within reach.
Doyle is survived by his wife Phyllis, their children Jon (Dawn-Marie) Van Sant and Shelley (Steve) Van Der Toorn; grandchildren Hanna (Donovan) Lowery, Andrew Van Sant, Maggie (Shane) Lowrey, Madison Van Der Toorn; and great-grandchildren Samuel Van Sant and Hadassah Lowery (due in November). He is also survived by his brothers Harold (Suzy) Van Sant and Delmar Van Sant, as well as many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at the VFW Post 9400 in Phoenix, AZ, on July 10, 2025.
