It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Virgil Lee Doyle, 81, of Amarillo, Texas, on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023, at Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home.
Virgil was born to father James Lafayette Doyle and mother Ella Mae in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he eventually attended college at Colorado State University graduating with a bachelor’s degree in zoology.
After graduation, Virgil enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as an Infantry Officer, and saw combat as a Rifle Platoon Leader in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart. After serving, he spent the majority of his civilian career as a plant manager at both Micro Beef Technologies in Amarillo and at his son Rodney’s company, Benchmark, in Dallas.
Virgil was a lover of all animals, from the dairy cows on his family farm as a child to his pet monkey in Vietnam to the wildlife he would feed and watch to the various dogs, cats, and birds he owned throughout his life. He also loved to work on miniatures and models ranging from cars to ships to trains and was an avid model railroader and long-time member of the Amarillo Railroad Museum where he will be sorely missed.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his sister Carol Doyle, his son Rodney Doyle and wife April, his daughter Rhonda Erb and husband Tim, his daughter Robin McFarland and husband Todd, his son Darren Doyle and wife Sharon, 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., August 19, 2023, at Lighthouse Funeral Home Chapel, 3707 Wolflin Ave., in Amarillo, Texas. Guests are welcome. Following the memorial service (date to be determined), Virgil will be buried in Fort Collins, Colorado, in a family plot next to his parents.
I was blessed to have my brother for 77 years.
May the joy in your hearts, of fond memories of Virgil’s life mend the sorrows you feel at this time.
Our family has lost a very good man. Fond memories of him from my childhood. Praying for the family at this time.
Mr Virgil was a wonderful man with a passion for his pets and people alike every conversation ended with a smile and a hand shake like it should be.. till we meet again with our father in heaven ???
I am praying for my family in the loss of my cousin (Uncle) Virgil. I have so many fond memories of him as I was growing up.
Most of my memories are from when we were kids (8 to 12) with visits to his house and the grandparents. Came to know him better as an adult when we saw each other in Dallas & Amarillo when I passed through on business. Great cousin.
He was such a loving and beautiful soul. I will so miss him!!!
He was so special to me! I will miss him greatly. I wish I would have stuck to playing the piano like he always told me too! I have so many memories of him that I will cherish forever!
Virgil was a good man and father. He will be missed. He was a kind and gentle person. We will all meet again one day. ?