Leon C. Doyle

Leon C. Doyle, 58, of La Grande, died April 13 at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise, after a very short battle with esophageal cancer. The service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A reception will follow the services at the 4-H building on the Union County fair grounds.

Leon was born Jan. 6, 1951, to Betty Rose (Hotzel) and Leonard David Doyle in

La Grande. Leon was raised and educated in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1969 where he was an active member of the FFA.

After high school Leon started out as a local painter with Rick Ledbetter then moved to Bates to work for Edward Hines Sawmill. After a year or so he transferred to Burns with Edward Hines Sawmill. In September 1971 he moved back to his hometown of La Grande and started working with Boise Cascade, where he was employed for 38 years.

Everywhere Leon would go people would refer to him as Santa Claus due to his beard he had grown since 1976. Leon was an avid blackpowder shooter; he belonged to the LoLo Trails Muzzleloader Club and Hells Canyon Muzzleloader Club and served as the vice president of the Wenaha Muzzleloader club for many years where he is known as "Red Beaver."

He enjoyed attending rendezvous with all of his muzzle loading friends - they were all like a second family to him. Leon always enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, camping, woodworking, helping others learn about muzzle loading and watching the races every Sunday!

Leon married Barbara Jean Carson Dec. 3, 1972. They lived a wonderful 37 years together raising their four children: Trisha, Debbie, Brandy and Bud.

He is survived by his wife Barbara; parents, Leonard and Bonnie Doyle; children, Trisha and her husband, Steve Soldavini, Debbie and her husband, Devin Cornford, Brandy and her husband, Troy McIntosh, all of La Grande, and Bud and his wife, Mariel Doyle, of Nampa; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, George Doyle, Tom Stout, Larry Stout, Sheryl Doss and James Doyle; in-laws, Edwin (Bud) and Eleanor Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Rose Doyle.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Union County Relay for Life in memory of Leon Doyle.

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