Posted on 06/03/2026

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Gerald John Doyle (Jerry), 89, of Carmichael, California, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Jerry was born on September 1, 1936 on the family dairy farm in Rosemount, MN, where both his father and grandfather were born. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was trained as a jet engine mechanic and served in Korea. His career took him in many directions, including working at SFO for United Airlines, then launching his own business operating hayrides at Roaring Camp in Felton, CA with his treasured team of Belgian horses, Spike and Curly. He later ran horseback riding stables in Big Basin, CA. He enjoyed working with horses, and rode bulls in competition rodeo. He owned and operated a cattle ranch in Idaho, worked in the jungles of Suriname, South America, helping locals engineer a railroad, traveled the country selling vitamins and even tried his hand at real estate. He eventually went to work at McClellan Air Force Base, where he retired as a locomotive engineer and heavy equipment operator. Jerry is survived by his sister, Jeanne Johnson; his children, Cathleen Forcier, Christopher Doyle, and Colleen Elliott (Kirk); his stepchildren, Michael Williams (Carrie), Steve Williams, John Williams ("G"), and Greg Williams (Kate); 19 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 37 years, Jacqueline Evans Doyle; his parents; and two sisters, Marlene Beeney and Lucille Palmer. Jerry had an adventurous spirit and loved staying active. He briefly volunteered for Horses Healing Heroes, but was especially proud to have donated more than 25 gallons of blood to the local blood bank. He had quite a reputation for being a character who had a lot of stories and life adventures. He was a strong man with a great sense of humor and famous for his jokes, his ability to Fix (Jerry- rig) anything, and his willingness to help all his friends and neighbors with anything he could. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.