Thomas Benjiman Doyle

Following a brave battle with cancer, Thomas Benjiman Doyle of DeRidder, Louisiana passed

away peacefully and surrounded by family on June 7, 2022 at the age of 47 years old.

Benji, as he was known to his friends and family, was born May 31, 1975 in Kinder, Louisiana to Kenneth and Aline Doyle. He grew up in the community of Ten Mile, Louisiana on his family farm. He spent many happy hours of his childhood walking the woods and fishing the creeks and ponds of Ten Mile often with a beloved family dog by his side.

Benji graduated from Plainview High School in 1993. After graduation he attended Lamar Salter Technical School where he earned a Diploma in Industrial Electronics. Benji started working on Department of Defense contracts at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Polk, Louisiana in 1996. During his tenure at JRTC, Benji worked for many defense contractors, most recently as an Enterprise Operations Lead for Blue Water Federal Solutions a Tetra Tech Company. He supported JRTC for 25 years.

Benji met his wife, Danielle, in 2006. They were married on June 23, 2007 and were blessed with three beautiful children: Tommy in 2013, Ella Grace in 2016, and Ida Belle in 2019. Benji adored his children and would often be found playing ball in the yard or giving horse rides up and down the hallway. He had a knack for getting his children and nieces to sit still and smile for photographs. His secret was pretending to be a Daddy gorilla or a turtle - whatever it took to get the smile. He spent his weekends attending baseball games, building pillow forts on rainy days, roasting marshmallows, enjoying Friday night bonfires during the fall, and watching old movies during the summer. He never missed a baseball practice or a baseball game. He threw himself wholeheartedly into anything his children chose to do.

Benji loved gardening, a trait he got from his mother. His garden was more whimsical than traditional. You would often find pumpkins growing in the front yard, watermelons growing in the compost bin, and grapes growing up the side of his shop. He was especially adept at growing very crooked carrots. He once had a crop of mint that was so prolific it nearly took over his entire back yard.

Benji also had a keen technical mind. A natural “do-it-yourselfer,” he could take anything apart and fix it. He was a problem solver too. He would stay with a problem long after everyone else had given up. He always came up with the solution. He spent many years working on his 1971 Dodge Charger and tinkering with his tractor “Woodstock.” Benji also loved to cook. He was never afraid to tackle the most difficult dishes from French pastries to barbecue. He did it all, always leaving a find dusting of flour or barbecue sauce in his wake. His 4th of July briskets and his Thanksgiving smoked Turkeys were legendary. Never one to seek out the limelight, he was happiest in the background taking care of all the tiny things that kept everything running smoothly. His greatest joy was taking care of his family and the people he loved.

Benji will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 14 years, Danielle Doyle of Deridder, LA;

his children, Tommy, Ella Grace, and Ida Belle of DeRidder, LA; his mother Aline Doyle of Kinder, LA; one sister, Susan Doyle and husband Brett of Jacksonville, TX; in-laws Billy and Mechele Deggs of DeRidder, LA; Sister-in-law Katy Booth and husband Sean of Lake Charles, LA; and Three precious nieces Kirra, Lucy Beth, and Mindy; as well as numerous relatives and friends.

Benji was proceeded in death by his father Kenneth Doyle; paternal grandparents Elbert and Molly Doyle; maternal grandparents Edna and Jayce Nixon; maternal grandfather J.B. Durden; and father-in-law Danny Stewart.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, July 15, 2022 at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, La. The family will visit with friends and family before the service from 12:00 pm until the time of service.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at St. Joseph Hospice for their all of their care and compassion.