SMITH, Doyle L. 88 of St. Petersburg, died on Sept. 11, 2015. Born in Kokomo, Indiana he is predeceased by his parents Hazel M. and Orville E. Smith, brother Gary L. Smith, sister Gloria Mae McClain and wife Karen. Doyle joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 at age 17 and was honorably discharged in 1951. He served during WWII and the Korean War. His military service was a source of great pride and many fond memories. Doyle returned to school and obtained his GED and attended Indiana Business College. Doyle married his childhood sweetheart, Wilhelmine Poppas, in 1946. They had four daughters: Diane Lynne, Debra Leigh, Desma Layne and Dstre Lorne. Doyle and Willie moved to Florida in 1965 and later divorced.
While living in Florida Doyle worked for Florida Power Corp. and Dick Mills Heating & Air Conditioning. In the late 1960s and early 1970s Doyle was Secretary, Vice President, President and Director of the Pinellas Heating and Air Conditioning Association.
In 1977 Doyle and Karen were married in Reno, Nevada where they purchased 11 acres in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and built a beautiful home. During this time Doyle found a stray pup, who grew to be about 100 lbs., and who they named Nifty. This dog held a special place in Doyle and Karen’s hearts and was a loyal and protective pet. Doyle and Karen enjoyed living on Cartwright Road in Reno where they could sit on their porch and watch wild horses grazing on their property.
While living in the Reno area Doyle worked for Brown Mechanical, Sierra Log Homes, Inc., New England Log Homes, Inc., Sierra Pacific Power Co. and as a building inspector for Storey County, Nevada.
Upon returning to Florida in the mid 1990s he and Karen settled into a home in the Barcley Estates neighborhood in St. Petersburg where Doyle lived until he moved to an assisted living facility for a short period of time.
Doyle is survived by his four daughters, Diane L. McClanahan (Tim), Debra L. Taylor (Robert), Desma L. West (Chuck) and Dstre L. Smith, four grandchildren, Gregory H. Taylor, Cameron L. Taylor, Courtney L. West and Megan E. West, his sister Winifred J. Snyder and his brothers Hugh D. Smith and Ronald D. Smith along with many nieces and nephews.
Private burial service with military honors at the Bay Pines National Cemetery.
Our deepest regrets go out to Doyles family. He will be missed.
We had many good times with Doyle and Karen = Going out to dinner, birthday parties or just visiting and talking. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Love, Shirley & Val
Our condolences to my Smith cousins and families.
MeLane Coulter
My condolences to my Smith Cousins and Families. Sincerely Brian P. Beatty
Our condolences to our Smith cousins. May God bless and care for you during your time of grief.
Many fond memories of Uncle Doyle. He will be greatly missed by all.
Sorry we can’t be there to comfort all of you.
Our deepest sympathy to all the family. We thank God for his love for family and country. As a child, I remember Uncle Doyle always had a smile on his face, a quick wit, great stories. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers to all the family and (our cousins). He will be greatly missed.