C.E. "Buddy" Doyle

Born: March 9, 1927 , Deceased: September 16, 2014.

Raised in Elgin Texas by Ira Doyle Sr. and Ida Doyle.

Siblings: Hershal Doyle, Daisy Herzog, Ted Doyle, Gene Doyle, Ira Jr (Pee-Wee) Doyle.

He was married to his sweetheart Emma (Ebner) Doyle for 56 years and they had four sons: Wayne Doyle, Ricky Doyle, Kelly Doyle, and Bobby Doyle.

He had 7 grandchildren: Kim Gillihan, Jason Doyle, Cathy Doyle, Amy Doyle, Joseph Doyle, Micah Doyle, and Faith Doyle.

He also had one Great grandson Joshua Wayne Gillihan.

His four sons all worked in their Dad’s Business’s: Buddy Doyle’s Diagnostic Car Clinic founded in 1954 & Doyle’s Auto Parts which was founded in 1960, It grew to nine locations and later sold in 2005 with the help of his sons and a host of wonderful employees.

A little known fact about Buddy is that during child birth he was still-born and suffered a broken arm during his birth, they didn’t have C-section back then. The doctor never tried to set his arm because he was dead. Then miraculously, he began breathing.

Buddy had to live with a crooked arm all his life but he was indeed a miracle baby. Because of his crooked arm he would have to work harder than the others, but he never let his arm handicap him. He would always wear a long sleeve shirt as to not bring attention to himself. I believe this crooked arm is what made him the determined individual he became.

Buddy was an accomplished Steel Guitar Player starting out playing with the “Doyle Brothers Western Swing Band” in the 1950’s. They would work their regular day jobs and at nights played in clubs. I don’t know how they had so much energy. Dad had many good friends from that era, and he always spoke highly of them with fond memories. The band disbanded when the brothers one by one as they gave their hearts to Jesus Christ.

Buddy continued to play his Steel Guitar almost exclusively for the Lord. He would play for his home church. He would also play for Revivals for different Minister friends including: Fred Hill, Darrell Owens, and his brother Gene Doyle and many more.

When Buddy Doyle met the Lord, he was serious about his commitment to HIM. He stopped smoking and any other habits that would have hurt his testimony for the Lord. He set a good example to his family , friends and employees.

He grew up with his family on a small farm in Elgin, Texas. There he obtained a Seventh Grade education. His education didn’t stop there, he would read books for his business and learned many skills including accounting. He was one of the first to learn a computer inventory system for his auto part stores. He was glad to share with other store owners his knowledge to help other independent auto part store owners with their computer system.

Concerning his business practices he believed in being fair to his customers, vendors and his employees. He was a good business man and very well respected by his peers. In the early years when they were building Interstate 10in front of the shop that nearly put him out of business. Then at church one day, a lady from the church shared a word of advice with him. She said, “Brother Buddy, if you will pay your tithes first before any of your others bills, the Lord will bless your finances.” Since taking her advice, all through the years, God has met every need abundantly.

Buddy has lived a wonderful life that has touched so many of us. Not bad for a still born baby, with a crooked arm and only a Seventh grade education.

He left a great legacy that his children and grandchildren can be proud of. His work ethic was second to none and his faithfulness to the LORD and his home church was second to none. He was very sincere about his faith in Jesus, and did his best to instill his Christian values in all his family.

In lieu of Flowers, please make a donation to Living Waters Assembly of God, P.O. Box 108, Magnolia TX 77353.

Bobby Doyle