James Doyle Wood

Dr. James Doyle Wood passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025, in Austin, Texas. He was 80 years old. Born on January 1, 1945 in Austin, Doyle's life was a testament to his deep roots in the community and his unwavering commitment to family and faith. Without question, God was at the center of everything for Doyle. His parents instilled in him a focus on the love for Jesus that endured throughout Doyle’s entire life.

Doyle grew up in Spicewood, where he became a standout football captain at Marble Falls High School. His love for both Texas and service continued at Texas A&M University, where he was a proud member of the Corps. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army as a veterinarian. While stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, he met the love of his life, Carole, and her two daughters, Lori and Shari. They were married for 50 years.

From Illinois, Doyle and Carole moved back to Texas where they built their lives and a legacy together. They opened Balcones Animal Hospital in 1973, a family-owned veterinary clinic in northwest Austin. Stories from the clinic speak to his love for both animals and his customers. To build his business, Doyle would answer customer calls throughout the evenings and race to the clinic to meet a client and help an animal in distress. One client who feared for her beloved dog to be in a kennel or even alone, would drop her poodle off each week to stay in Doyle’s office during her trips to H.E.B.

Doyle and Carole’s family grew with the birth of their son, Jason. Doyle found immense joy in working alongside Jason, who followed in his father's footsteps, graduating from Texas A&M and joining the family practice as a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) like his dad. Doyle was an active veterinarian his entire life, continuously serving for over 56 years.

Beyond his professional life, Doyle served for many years as the song leader at the Spicewood Church of Christ, inspiring countless people with his own voice, his personal example, and his deep love for God. As a young man he would travel every Sunday from Austin back to Spicewood to ensure he spent time at his childhood church and with his parents.

Doyle was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carole, and his daughter, Lori King. He is survived by his son, Dr. Jason Wood and his wife Rebecca; his daughter, Shari Eno and her husband Paul; his brother, Gail Wood and his wife Pat; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 5th, at 3:00 p.m. at the Haynie Flat Cemetery in Spicewood. Friends and family are invited to a reception immediately following at Shari and Paul’s home to celebrate Doyle's life and legacy.