Dennis Michael Doyle

Dennis M. Doyle, a proud father, grandfather and a retired U.S Army Veteran, passed away March 26, 2026. He was 79.

Visitation at 5:30 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Thompson Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, 4350 River Oaks Blvd., Fort Worth.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2026 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 6150 Pershing Avenue, Fort Worth, with a reception following in the Parish Hall. 

Graveside Service with Military Honors: 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to WhenWeLove, 1100 E Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76102 ( online donation link ) a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization serving youth, single parent families and veterans experiencing and recovering from homelessness. 

Born January 7, 1947, in Chicago, IL, Dennis was the youngest of seven children. He attended school in Chicago at Our Lady of Lourdes and at Lake View High School. He enlisted in the Army on January 14, 1966.

Dennis served 24 years of active duty, after enlisting in the regular Army in January 1966. He spent over a year in Korea at Camp Kaiser. He served as a Hawk Air Defense Crewman, a basic medial specialist, and finished his career as an Army Recruiter and operations sergeant. He was assigned to the Baltimore and Dallas recruiting battalions. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oakleaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four Oakleaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four Oakleaf clusters and a variety of other awards. Dennis retired as a Master Sergeant.

His greatest achievement was his children. His son, Bryan, was born in 1970. As a young father in a tough mid-70’s economy, Dennis did what he had to do to support his family, including working some jobs that he most certainly did not enjoy. That said, he really found his true calling when he re-enlisted in the Army. Although his commitments on that front limited his availability at times, he made a concerted effort to do whatever it took to be there when it mattered, attending any of Bryan’s games that he could in whatever sport, and even agreeing to be Pack Leader for a short time when Bryan’s Cub Scout troop needed someone.

Dennis and Bryan had a complicated relationship during his teen years, when he was the stereotypical teenager who knew everything and his dad didn’t know anything. Even then, he stayed steady for Bryan, and it wasn’t until Bryan reached adulthood and learned about the real world that he realized that the old man was pretty smart after all. Bryan got to appreciate the fact that Dennis was right about so many things, and that he had the patience not to give up on Bryan when it would have been so easy to do.

Getting to see the joy Dennis had getting to do fatherhood again with Rachel, and how much love he had for his grandkids, was truly a sight to behold. Even in the last few years, while he was struggling with his health, his standard line when Bryan would ask how he was feeling was “I can’t complain”, while a lesser man would have done just that. He would forego family activities, not because he didn’t want to participate, but because he didn’t want to impact anyone else’s good time by putting the focus on himself when he just didn’t have the strength to keep up.

In 1996, Dennis met Ellen Shelby, and they married in 1998. Before they married, little 6-year-old Rachel asked Dennis if she could call him dad. He said yes, making her dream of having a dad come true. He adopted Rachel December 31, 1999. They lived in Aledo, TX for 10 plus years where they had a house that was the center of entertainment with friends and family, with countless cast parties, Thanksgiving dinners, Cheaster (Christmas and Easter celebrated together at Easter), summer pool parties and so much more. And dogs. Dennis loved dogs and even cats too. One summer, in particular, there were 15 dogs; Pete, Kimmie, Toi, Sandy, Phoebe and her 10 puppies; and 2 cats Sally and Athena.

When Ellen mobilized for the first time after 9/11, Dennis was working for Lowe’s and was going to need help to take care of Rachel and their home, so Ellen’s mother, Melba Shelby-Casey, came to live with Dennis and Rachel. During that time, Melba and Dennis’s bond grew and they worked together to raise yet another teenager, who knew everything. Even with his full work schedule Dennis came to Rachel’s track meets, voice recitals and school banquets as well as her other school functions. As Rachel grew older, she truly came to appreciate her dad and the bond they shared continued to grow, especially in her early 20’s when she needed his guidance the most. Dennis always made every effort to be there for his children and grandchildren and when he couldn’t physically be there, he would always send a message or give a call to let us know he was thinking about us and loved us very much.

During his employment at Lowe’s and his service in the military, Dennis met dozens if not hundreds of people. He truly cared about all his friends and would help anyone who needed support during a difficult time. Dennis was a genuine and funny man who always wanted everyone to feel welcome whether if it was at work or in his own home. That’s why we have so many great memories to cherish for the rest of our lives.

Dennis is survived by his son, Bryan Doyle (Stephanie) and his daughter, Rachel Gonzalez (Josh); his grandchildren, Erin, Ziva and Shiloh; his friend and former wife, Ellen Shelby; his sister, Margaret Van Dyke; his stepsister, Geri Walker (Donnie) and by numerous nieces and nephews. Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, George and Ellen Doyle and by his siblings, Eileen May, Patricia Jung, Robert “Bob” Doyle, Terrance Doyle, and Mary Anne Loch.

I can only hope that when my time comes, that I’ll be remembered as half the man that he was. Rest in peace, Dad. I love you. -Bryan

Thank you, Daddy, for the wonderful memories and exemplifying what to look for in a loving husband, friend and father to my children. I love you. -Rachel