Ernest Paul Doclar

Ernest Paul Doclar passed away on Nov. 15, 2025, after a short illness. He was 95. Ernest was a longtime resident of Grapevine, a Navy veteran, a member of the Boy Scouts of America for over 75 years and a lifelong Catholic. He will be deeply missed.

Services will be held on December 11 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine. A rosary will be said at 10:30 am, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 am. A luncheon will follow in the church hall.

Ernest was born in New Orleans on Oct. 9, 1930, to Fenilia August Doclar and Ernest Paul Doclar Sr. His parents were native New Orleanians and Ernest lived in that city from birth until February 1964. He had no siblings.

He was committed to his Catholic faith and completed 16 years of education in Catholic schools and universities. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola of New Orleans in 1951.

In July 1951, Ernest enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His rate was seaman apprentice until he was commissioned ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve, in July 1952. His first assignment was the U.S. Naval Air Station, Atsugi, Japan. Then he was sent to the carrier, USS Lake Champlain, in the Atlantic. He remained in the reserve for 30 years and rose to the rank of commander. In 1961, he served as executive officer of the USS Woodson and was released from active duty in August 1962. His naval awards include the Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Naval Expeditionary Medal and American Service Medal.

Ernest married Jane Elizabeth May of New Orleans in February 1962. Jane taught elementary school in New Orleans, New Jersey and Texas. They had three daughters: Laura Jane, Mary Frances and Paula Ann. With Jane’s urging, she and Ernest visited every continent and sailed every one of the Seven Seas.

The Boy Scouts of America was a passion for Ernest. He joined Scouting in April 1943 and remained a Scout or Scouter for over 75 years. He became a professional Scouter in New Orleans in 1956. In 1964, he moved to New Jersey and became associate editor of Boys’ Life magazine and was later executive editor. In 1973, Ernest moved to the staff of Scouting magazine and served as its editor from 1991 to 1994, at which time he retired.

Ernest was a communicant at St. Francis Church for 45 years. He served as chair of the vocations committee and the hospital ministry. As a Scout leader, he remained active on the Troop 7 Committee in that church. He was a member of Serra International, working to encourage new and existing vocations to the Catholic Church. In 2006, he served as president of the USA Council of Serra. In his local clubs, based at the University of Dallas and at St. Francis, he held numerous offices. He also served as a guardian of incapacitated adults for the Guardianship Services of Tarrant County and delivered Meals on Wheels.

Survivors: His widow, Jane May Doclar; his three daughters and their husbands: Laura and Joseph Muller of Dallas, Mary and Ralph McKee of Arlington and Paula and Gulstan Dart of Rocklin, CA; seven grandchildren: William and Jeffrey Muller; Leonise and Keston McKee; and Madeleine Hagen, Zach and Wyatt Dart; two great-grandchildren; and his cousin, Carol Kenison of Metairie, LA.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Paul Doclar Sr., in 1958, and his mother, Fenilia August Doclar, in 1999.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Serra International or Boy Scout Troop 7, Attn: Gregg Porter, 502 Alamo Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051.