Col. Doyle Ragan Malone

Col. Doyle Ragan Malone, a longtime Baton Rouge resident who grew up in Farmerville, Union Parish, died Jan. 8, 2021, at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home. He was 81. His adoring wife of 48 years, Maureen, was by his side. Doyle freely shared his love in all aspects of his life, embodying God's greatest commandment through his service to others – his faith works, military career, business leadership and dedication as a patriarch. Doyle enjoyed his country childhood in the hills of North Louisiana, where he grew up fishing and exploring. He earned his Bachelor of Science in business in 1962 from the then-known Northeast Louisiana State College (ULM). A smart and industrious leader, he had a 37-year military career from active duty in France as commander of a U.S. Army unit in the early 1960s to his retirement in 1999 as the last commanding officer of the Army Reserve unit in Baton Rouge known as the 4013th. He became a Colonel in 1982. Doyle valued his service immensely and continued to frequent bases in retirement. He spent his civilian life in the insurance industry, eventually opening an independent agency in 1974 in his Jefferson Terrace garage before moving to his longtime Jefferson Highway location, where he remained for 40 years. Doyle was a trusted adviser to those who knew him, including customers and neighbors who would stop by his office to connect over coffee or a Coke. He was a leader in the industry, including serving repeatedly on the boards of directors for the Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana and PIA of Baton Rouge. Doyle could be found every morning and night in his leather chair reading the Bible, often sharing encouraging words from those passages in his everyday interactions. He was a member of First Baptist Church for nearly 60 years. And since the early 1970s, he served as coordinator for Gideons Internationals' prison ministry at Angola, continuing the program his father began there. Through Doyle's decades of faithful service at Angola and leadership of the program, countless men came to know Jesus and profess their faith. Gifted and well-respected, Doyle earned innumerable military, leadership, insurance and service awards and honors. Doyle relished in life's moments. He had a special gift of gab, a beautiful smile and devoted his full attention to friends and family when they were together. Anyone lucky enough to be in his presence felt his warmth, good humor and joyous spirit. Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys Ethel Kennedy and Graydon Lavelle "Jack" Malone, and sister Joan Wood. In addition to his wife, Maureen Morrow Malone, he is survived by his proud children Barry Todd Malone, of Texarkana, Ark., Brandi Malone, of Baton Rouge, Nancy (and Brian) Gautreau, of Baton Rouge, and Brett (and Britney) Malone, of Durham, N.C.; grandchildren Rome, Marigny and Everett Gautreau; and dear relatives including siblings Jacqui Malone Smith, of Seabrook, TX, and Crawford Malone, of New Orleans. Graveside services with military honors will be Friday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m. at the Louisiana National Cemetery, 303 W. Mount Pleasant Road, Zachary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doyle's name to Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area or First Baptist Church, both in Baton Rouge. Doyle was a godly man in many ways, but none greater than his capacity to love. "Love endures all things," and Doyle's love lives on in those whose lives he touched.