Marion Doyle Fenn

Doyle Fenn, born November 16, 1927, in Cloud Chief, Oklahoma, passed away on October 10, 2012, after a brief illness. The time between these dates reflects a life of Christian servitude, inspired by his parents Alvin and Florence Fenn. His youth was spent in the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma during the Great Depression, followed by Army-Air Corps WWII service; these experiences contributed to the influence he would have on countless others. After his Honorable Discharge from the military, Doyle and his life-long love, Betty Simpson, married on Thanksgiving Day, 1948, in a double wedding with her older brother Gene and her dear friend, Frances. Their early marriage was spent at Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where both earned teaching degrees and subsequently launched lengthy careers as educators in Oklahoma and Texas. His leadership roles extended beyond the classroom as he served as President of the Deer Park Teachers Association, President of the Texas Association of Community Schools, and President of the Deer Park Kiwanis Club.

Doyle retired from Deer Park Independent School District in 1987, providing time for him to develop his newly discovered passions of technology and genealogy. The combination of these interests led to the publication of five books of family history and one of Oklahoma history, Cloud Chief: Original County Seat of Washita County, Oklahoma. Retirement and a move to Manvel also allowed Doyle time to pursue a political role, and he was twice elected Mayor of Manvel. Other selfless civic involvements included memberships in the Brazoria County Partnership and the Alvin Education Foundation, and chairmanship of the Manvel Planning and Zoning Commission.

Doyle served his local, regional, and state communities tirelessly, but the essence of his life was boundless love for God. In every community where he and Betty lived, they became pillars supporting their local First United Methodist Church. He and Betty were also Life Time members of the National Camping Methodists, Spaceland Chapter 2, travelling nationwide to enjoy Christ’s blessings with fellow Christians.

Doyle and Betty’s legacy also includes their family. Four children, Larry Fenn and Kathie; Brenda Fenn Sanzone and Tom; Rev. Marlin Fenn and Kay Lynn; and Mark Fenn and Bonnie, were blessed to be raised by a principled man who loved God, country, and family. His grandchildren were his earthly reward, however, and their mutual love exceeded all bounds. Maureen, Ronda, David (and wife Katie), Laura, Lindsey (and husband Ryan), Katie (and husband Jason), Stephen, and Marilee were Grandpa’s favorites. His blessings increased even more with the birth of five great-grandchildren, Chloe, Caleb, Brooke, Haylea, and Buford Doyle, born an hour before his great grandfather’s death.

Doyle’s gentle, friendly nature endeared him to many, earning him the role of Grandpa to many fortunate youth in their community and church family. While we will miss him, we rejoice in knowing he is reunited with his parents, an infant sister, and younger brother Glen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be given in Doyle’s name to First United Methodist Church-Pearland, First United Methodist Church-Katy, Deer Park First United Methodist Church, or the Alvin ISD Education Foundation.

The family will receive visitors at Forest Park East in League City from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, 2012. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 15, 2012, at First United Methodist Church-Pearland with Revs. Keith Whitaker and Bob Joiner officiating. Serving as pallbearers are David Masterson, Merl Bradley, and Doyle’s grandsons David Fenn, Stephen Fenn, Ryan Alberson, and Jason Hall. Honorary Pallbearers are members of Doyle and Betty’s Sunday School Class, The Open Door Sunday School Class. Graveside services will follow at 10 a.m. on October 17, 2012, at South Burns Cemetery outside Dill City, Oklahoma. It is the wish of Doyle and Betty that they both be buried in Oklahoma, their heaven on earth.

As Betty told her beloved Doyle on his death bed, “God has promised to be with you,” and our family looks forward to the eternal reunion promised by our faith.