James Gordon “Jim” Doyle, age 88 of Tryon, NE passed away Friday September 16, 2016 at Linden Court in North Platte.
Jim was born on April 11, 1928 in North Platte, NE to Daniel T. and Ruthie R. (Gordon) Doyle. His family lived on a small farmstead south of Tryon for a short time until moving to Gordon Homestead north of Ringgold. He lived there for the rest of his life. Jim graduated from Tryon High School with the class of 1945. He ranched with his father in the years to follow. During this time he started riding bareback horses and bulls at some of the local rodeos. In true rough stock rider fashion, he often spoke of the horses he’d drawn and many of the other cowboys with whom he’d become friends. His face always lit up when he told rodeo stories. In 1952 he enlisted in the US Navy and entered the Cadet Program as the only applicant accepted who was not college educated. He later left the Cadet Program and entered Radio School. Jim served aboard the USS Tripoli, copying Morse code as a radio man. He saw much of post WWII Europe. For many years after his service, he continued to enjoy copying code. After leaving the service, Jim took over the family ranch and started his own cow herd. Over the years he transitioned from Hereford cows to the Angus breed and built a very well respected herd. In 1963 Jim married Dorothy “Jean” Wiley Fisher. She had three children, Ranold Calvin, Wiley Kent, and Shannon Marie and together they had Hannah Ruth. He was extremely interested in the Civil War. He read and reread anything he could get his hands on that pertained to that time period. Over the years he obtained stacks and stacks of Civil War books, magazines and movies. Jim’s passion was the Sandhills, and his cattle and horses. He enjoyed helping neighbors with their fall work and brandings. He was still dragging calves to the fire at the ripe old age of 85 and could still cover one that bucked then too! Jim helped several young ranchers get a start in the business by “loaning” them cows for a few years.
Jim is survived by his children Randy (Kathy) Fisher, Wiley “Kent” (Kathleen) Fisher, Shannon (Michael Lapsley) Fisher and Hannah (Matthew) Burch; 8 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; as well as other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jean; parents; sisters Pearl LaVonne Carlson and Loa Daly Duggan; brothers-in-law Don Daly, Ed Duggan and Nels Carlson.
Memorials are suggested to the McPherson County Fire Department and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday September 21, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Miller Cemetery in Tryon with full military honors. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.