Doke Kiblinger

Emanuel Doke Kiblinger Jr. of Pantego, Texas went to his eternal home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 11, 2025.

Born June 25,1943 in Hillsboro, Texas to Emanuel Doke Kiblinger and Zula Patterson Kiblinger, Doke graduated from Covington High School and went on to earn his BBA in Accounting from Arlington State College. He owned his own CPA practice for forty years.

He served in the army as a 1st Lieutenant and fought in Vietnam with the 1st Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Air Medal for heroic flight, and Combat Infantry Badge. Memories and stories from these years always brought tears to Doke’s eyes.

He married the love of his life, Cindy Blair, in December,1969, and they were married 55 years. Cindy was always well-supplied with flowers, ice cream, and jewelry from Doke.

Doke was a faithful member of First United Methodist church of Arlington for over 50 years. He served in so many capacities. He loved to usher, and he wouldn’t miss the annual Spaghetti Supper. Every Mother’s Day, Doke anonymously honored the women in the church by placing flowers at the altar. Every woman in the Lamplighter’s Sunday School class received a carnation on Mother’s Day. He is remembered as a loyal churchman and faithful friend.

He was a member of Kiwanis for more than 50 years and received the Hixson Award as an outstanding member. He was also a PTA life member, served on the first Futures Committee, and received the Leadership in Education Award from Arlington ISD.

Doke’s passion was working on the farm in “Grubhill, Texas” where he raised “his girls,” certified Angus beef cattle. He loved taking his boys to the farm on Saturdays and was a true “weekend warrior.”

He was admired as a “one-of-a kind family man.” He became “Pops” to his nine grandchildren who looked forward to participating in his Christmas scavenger hunts, playing Yahtzee in his lap, enjoying his famous cinnamon toast, and laughing at his jokes. He made the most delicious malts. And he loved his family time playing Mexican Train in Red River, New Mexico.

Family and friends will remember Doke as a “tremendous man” who has left a wonderful legacy. He ran into someone he knew everywhere that he went. And his parting words were always, “Have Fun!”

Doke loved to tell the story of having his tonsils out when he was six. He remembered himself falling, until Jesus caught him in his arms. Now, his King Jesus has caught him for eternity.

Doke was preceded in death by his father, Emanuel Kiblinger, his mother, Zula Kiblinger, and his brothers, Edgar and Eldon Kiblinger. He is survived by his wife Cindy Blair Kiblinger, his son Greg and wife Lee Kiblinger of Tyler and their children, Ben, Lauren, and Nathan, his son Ryan Kiblinger of Streetman and his children Elika, Jed, and Zane, and his daughter Ashley and husband Bob Bolton of Coppell and their children Will, Tyler, and Garner, and his sister Sue Boyd, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 27th, 2025, at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Arlington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Wounded Warriors (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate) and St. Jude’s’s Children’s Hospital (St. Jude’s's).