John Lee Doyel

1936 - 2025

John Lee Doyel

John Lee Doyel was born October 7, 1936, to parents Joe and Jesse Pearl Doyel. John grew up on the family Zante Ranch just north of Porterville, and later the Plano Ranch, east of Porterville College. John was one of eight siblings including brothers Dale, Lester, Chuck, and Walter, and sisters Marie Adams, Mae Hulse, and Lois Wickham.

After graduating from Porterville High School in 1954, John worked at Valley Body Auto Repair in Porterville with his brother Lester. While working outside one day at Valley Body, John was noticed by Rosalie Hill who thought he was "pretty cute;" thus began their lifelong love affair.

In May 1956, John enlisted into the United States Air Force and served at the Deep Creek Air Force Station outside Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington. John was a Nuclear Weapons Specialist and took tremendous pride in serving his country.

John and Rosalie married in 1958 and lived in the Spokane area until John's military discharge in 1960, when they returned to Porterville where they raised their two children, Linda and Tim.

John worked as Assistant Manager for Montgomery Wards on Main Street and later took a position with Joe Cobb Auto Parts as a counter person and was eventually promoted to outside salesman. John spent nearly 40 years working as an outside salesman for Lalanne's Paint and Glass. John enjoyed painting vehicles on the side and painted several cars and trucks for friends and family, taking pride in his wet and glossy finishes.

John actively served the community and was a member of the Porterville Breakfast Lions for many years, filling numerous positions, including President. Active members of the Porterville First Congregational Church since the early 1960s, John and Rosalie shared many fond memories of Congregator group activities in Camp Nelson and serving the church in numerous fashions.

John loved to work in his yard and garden, shoot hoops with his grandkids and great-grandkids, and play cards with Rosalie. John did not know a stranger and engaged in conversations with anyone willing to take part (and even those who didn't). After retirement, John was known to deliver his famous lemon bars to friends, businesses, and doctors just to brighten someone's day.

John is preceded in death by his daughter Linda Childers; brothers, Dale, Chuck, Walter, and Lester; and sisters, Marie Adams, and Mae Hulse. He is survived by his wife Rosalie Doyel, sister Lois Wickham, son Tim Doyel (wife Stacey), grandchildren Stacie Mills (husband Matt), Kyle Childers (wife Kaity), Hayden & Kaylee Doyel, great-grandchildren Ethan, Clayton, Cameron, Analise and Wesley.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the First Congregational Church, 165 E. Mill Ave, Porterville, California. Interment to be private.

To share a memory, or express condolences to the family, please visit the obituaries section of our website at www.myersfuneral.com/obituaries. Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.