Doyle Benard Volkmer was born to Henry Benard and Erma Doyle Volkmer on July 11, 1940 at Detar Hospital in Victoria Texas. After a battle with cancer, he went to be with the Lord on June 15, 2015 at the age of 74.

Doyle's family moved to Bay City from Victoria in 1949. He attended Bay City schools and left to join the Army in January 1959. While in the Army, he became a commissioned officer. He was stationed in many places including Germany. This is where he would meet his future wife. Ute Lauer was a beautiful young German girl and on June 16, 1961 they were married. Two years later, their daughter Michele was born on June 16, 1963 in Landstuhl, Germany. They moved back to the United States in late 1963 where their second child, a son Randy Volkmer, was born on August 14, 1964 in Fort Hood, Texas. From 1966-1967, as a first Lieutenant in the Army's 4th Infantry Division, Doyle was sent to lead a platoon into the jungles of Vietnam. While there, he was wounded and rehabbed in country. Once his tour was finished, he was sent back to the United States where he retired from the Army and moved back to Bay City for good. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army, never left him as friends and family will attest.

After his time in the service, Doyle and his wife Ute made their life here in Bay City. They took over the management of one of the first drive inn restaurants in Bay City from his parents, Circle C Drive Inn.

He worked for a period of time for his friends Earl and Leta Ward at Ward Realty and eventually opened his own realty company Gulf Coast Realty. He was later employed by the county as the flood plains manager where he eventually retired.

Doyle enjoyed gardening, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoyed working on his pecan trees. His greatest joy in life was his family and friends. He never met a stranger and was always ready to help someone who needed a hand.

Doyle was active in many organizations throughout his life. One that he is very proud of is his membership in the Masons Organization where he has been a member for over fifty years. He believed strongly in their principles. As a Mason he became a 32nd degree member of the Scottish rite, after which, he joined the Shriners Organization. He was very fond of the Shriners for the helps they gave to all children at no charge through the Shriners Hospital in Houston and other cities. Doyle was also the President of the National and Texas retired 4th Infantry division members and was a lifelong member of the local VFW Post.

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Erma Volkmer and by his loving daughter, Michele Volkmer Pawlosky.

Survivors include his wife of fifty four years Ute Volkmer, his son, Dr. Randy Volkmer and his wife Lisa of Bay City; his four grandsons, Randy Dean Volkmer II, Karson Doyle Volkmer, James Dillon Pawlosky, and Payton Doyle Pawlosky; his brothers, Frank Volkmer, Sr. and his wife Joyce of Bay City, Wayne Volkmer and his wife Rosalie of Willis, Texas and son-in-law Ray Pawlosky; numerous family members and their children in Germany, his brother's children and very close friends.

Funeral services will be held a 10:00am Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at St Peters Lutheran Church in Bay City with Reverend Dick Kastner officiating. Interment will follow at Cedervale Cemetery in Bay City where the local VFW will present the full Military honors and the Masonic Lodge will administer the Masonic rites. Pallbearers are Albert Garrison, Bubba Bucek, Payton Pawlosky, Dillon Pawlosky, Karson Volkmer, and Randy Volkmer II. Honorary pallbearers are Kenneth Volkmer, Glennwood Volkmer, Larry Volkmer, Raymond Burt, James Pawlosky, and Scott Doty.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 6977 Main St. Houston, TX 77030; Houston Hospice, P.O. Box 1417 El Campo, TX 77437 or St. Peters Lutheran Church, 3000 9th St. Bay City, TX 77414.