He was born Sept. 10, 1945, in Culver City, Los Angeles County, California, the only child of Warren Patrick Doane and Gladys Ruthelle Snellings Doane.
His life was devoted to God, family and service to his country and community. He served in many ways throughout his life, always striving to strengthen and uplift others and bring them closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joining the church in Beaumont with his parents in March 1965.
Just a year after his baptism, Jim became a full-time missionary for the church in the Northwestern States Mission, serving in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon for two years from 1966 to 1968.
He married his sweetheart, Yvonne Cryer from Silsbee, on March 15, 1968. They were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were blessed with four children, and their eternal family has grown to include ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Jim joined the U.S. Navy and left his young bride for active duty in July 1968, honorably serving in Vietnam aboard the USS Harnett County as a member of the Navy’s River Patrol unit. He was released from active duty in September 1969 and transferred to the Naval Reserves at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. He continued serving in the Reserves for six years. In 2008, he was declared a 100% Disabled Veteran due to health issues that stemmed from his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
He received several military awards and medals including the Navy Commendation Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Honorable Discharge Medal, and the Cold War Veteran Military Medal.
After his military service, Jim earned an Associate of Science degree in Law Enforcement from Lamar State College of Technology in 1970 and his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Lamar University in 1975. He had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, serving as a lieutenant in the Silsbee Police Department from 1970 to 1977, as coordinator for the Texas Department of Highways and Transportation training program at Stephen F. Austin State University from 1977 to 1979, as captain over the fugitive warrant division in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department from 1980 to 1987 and then as Chief Deputy for the sheriff’s department from 1989 to 1993.
Jim earned a Master of Science degree in Adult Education and a Doctorate in Criminal Justice Administration in 1989. He began teaching criminal justice classes as a professor at Lamar Institute of Technology in 1993 where he became director of Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Studies. He was proud to develop the first Homeland Security Degree in the state of Texas after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. He also earned credentials to direct the Texas Center of Excellence for International Anti and Counter Terrorism studies at Lamar.
He took his career in law enforcement education a step further in 1981 when he founded his own Security Institute business, teaching Texas Private Security Commission courses to individuals wanting to become commissioned security officers. With dedicated assistance from Yvonne, he continued teaching these courses until earlier this year when his health declined.
He was proud to be a member of many community and professional associations, including the Lamar Faculty Senate, Texas Violent Gang Task Force, Vietnam Veterans of America, National Rifle Association (Patriot, Life Member Benefactor), NRA Golden Eagles, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion.
Jim served his church in countless ways, not only as a full-time missionary as a young man, but later as a Scoutmaster, Young Men President, Sunday School teacher, Beaumont Stake High Councilor and as a member of the Stake Mission presidency. He served in a prison ministry as Branch President for more than 25 years at both federal and state units, including the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Mark Stiles unit. At the time of his death, he was serving with Yvonne as ward Temple and Family History leaders.
He received many awards and honors for his educational and community service including the Lamar University Criminal Justice Association Outstanding Community Service award in 1993, inductee into the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau Texas Hall of Fame in 2005, Federal Bureau of Prisons Volunteer of the Year award in 2007, and the Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service award in 2009. He was named to the Republican Presidential Honor Roll by President Donald J. Trump in 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Yvonne Cryer Doane of Beaumont; children, Dusty Anne Semien, Dixie Aileen Brown (Brad), Dolly Amelia Gardner (Jason), and Brigham Paul Doane, all of Beaumont; grandchildren, Makayla Aubrey Savoy (Dylan) of Beaumont, Logan Patrick Semien of Midvale, Utah, Kaelan Anthony Semien (Ryleigh) of Henderson, Nevada, Skylar Lynn Steward (David) of Bartlett, Tennessee, Trystan Avery Gardner of Beaumont, Riane Dakota Gardner of Bryan, Texas, and Ryland Jay Gardner, Aspen Noel Gardner, and Ashton Zion Gardner, all of Beaumont, and Sterling Skyy Doane of San Antonio, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Maesyn Dawn Semien, Isaiah Jared Semien and Ezra James Semien, all of Henderson, Nevada.
Funeral services are under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Beaumont. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7785 Weaver Drive in Beaumont. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. at the church. A graveside service will follow at Moulder Memorial Gardens family cemetery, 7955 Mormon Church Road in Silsbee.
