John Jones Doles Jr.

DOLES JR., JOHN JONES Funeral service for John Jones Doles Jr., of Plain Dealing, will be Monday, April 19, 2004, at 1 p.m. at First Presby-terian Church of Plain Dealing. The Rev. Kathleen Hignight will conduct the service, assisted by the Rev. M. Jeffery Bayhi, vocational director of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Visitation will be at the Doles' home, 702 E. Vinnie St., Plain Dealing, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2004. Burial in Plain Dealing Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Mortuary of Plain Dealing, with graveside rites by the 12th District, Department of Louisiana, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Honor Guard. Mr. Doles was born Jan. 6, 1923, and died early Friday morning, April 16, 2004, at Willis-Knighton Medical Center following a lengthy illness. A lifelong resident of Plain Dealing, Mr. Doles graduated from Plain Dealing High School in 1940 and received a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering from LSU in 1948. He later became well known in Louisiana banking circles, having served as president of First State Bank & Trust Co. of Plain Dealing from 1970 to 1995, and president of the Louisiana Bankers Association from 1982 to 1983. He was also former chairman of the board of Doles Insurance Agency Inc., vice president of Discus Oil Corp., managing agent of First State LLC and managing agent of Maijon LLC. Mr. Doles served as a second lieutenant in the 14th Armored Division during World War II. During his time in the European Theater, he served under Gen. Patton and Gen. Patch. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, American Camp Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Mr. Doles retired in 1962, a lieutenant colonel, from the U.S. Army Reserve. He also served as a member of the Eighth Air Force Consultation Committee. Mr. Doles was a member of the board of trustees of Willis-Knighton Medical Center, past chairman of LSU Junior Division advisory board, and a member of LSU Alumni Association, LSU Foundation, Tiger Athletic Foundation Developmental Council of the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History at LSU and Cadets of the Ole War Skule. He was also a member of LSU Shreveport Citizens Advisory Committee, 1978 to 1982, National Eagle Scout Association, Norwela Council Boy Scouts advisory board and Small Business Administration advisory board. A member of First Presbyterian Church of Plain Dealing and a ruling elder in the church, Mr. Doles was also a member and past president of Plain Dealing Lions Club, Plain Dealing Development Association and Plain Dealing Medical Association Inc. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Voiture Locale 137, Reserve Officers Association, Red River Valley Association and board of directors of The Coordinating and Development Corporation. Mr. Doles was active in several social organizations, including member and past president of Shreveport Club, member of the Rex XLII Cotillion Club, Cotillion Duchess Club, Plantation Club, Cambridge Club, University Club LSU and Oakland Plantation Country Club. The family requests any memorials be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Plain Dealing, P.O. Box 283, Plain Dealing, LA 71064, or T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, LSU Foundation, 3838 W. Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Survivors include his widow, Mai Frances Doles; four daughters and sons-in-law, Robbie and Jack Stone of Plain Dealing, Cissy and Jay Babb of Atlanta, and Minou and George Fritze and Madge and David Davis, all of Shreveport; 11 grandchildren, Lane Stone, Kelly Stone, John Stone, Brent Garrett, Meg Garrett, Gaines Garrett, Jon David Babb, Minou Fritze Olsan, Patton Fritze, Dave Davis and Morgan Davis. Pallbearers will be John Stone, Brent Garrett, Gaines Garrett, Jon David Babb, Patton Fritze, Dave Davis, Alvin Olsan and Kenneth Clay. Honorary pallbearers are J.D. Babb, Tommy Boggs, Donald Brice, Bill Cocreham, Hugh Scott Coyle, Dwight Davis, Wayne Davis, Sam Doles, Harry Carter Edwards, Jim Fritze, David Kelly, Davis McCall, Chuck McCoy, Ed Shaw, Wayne Simpson, Bert Turner, Joe Waggonner, Monty Wyche, the Kings of Holiday In Dixie Cotillion Club and members of the Shreveport Syndicate. The family would like to thank the physicians and staff of Willis-Knighton Medical Center-North for their loving care.