Posted: Jun 4, 2005  12:55

The 15th Annual North Idaho Timberfest took place today at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The celebration honored Gary Doyle as this year’s Bull-of-the-Woods.

Every year the Timberfest Committee honors a person who has committed time, honor and effort to the timber industry. This year, the Committee approached Mr. Gary Doyle of Doyle Logging in Naples, ID, to receive the recognition. Gary flattered, wondered aloud if he would be able to attend Timberfest to accept?

Gary was fighting a battle with leukemia and was quite ill when asked to accept the Bull-of-the-Woods recognition. Gary humbly accepted the invitation and voiced just two wishes for 2005: To sustain his health to celebrate his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Dorine and to accept the 2005 Bull-of-the-Woods award at Timberfest. Unfortunately, Gary passed away on March 15, 2005, so he was not able to be at the event today.

Gary was a third generation “Doyle Logger”. The company began with his grandfather, Alec who passed the business onto Gary’s dad Pat. Gary had been involved in logging for over 50 years, and Alec, Gary and Dorine’s son was the fourth generation logger in the family. Even their daughter Pam was a logger for a time. Alec, Pat, Gary and Alec Doyle have all passed on, but the Doyle Logging legacy continues through grandchildren and Flower Power.

Flower Power is a 1969 Peterbilt that Conda bought from her grandfather. Gary special ordered Flower in 1970. After a little mishap one year later, the Doyle Logging truck was re-painted purple with flowers on the nose. Flower Power still rolls down the roads, sometimes as a log truck and sometimes as a dump truck, but still in the Doyle family.

Gary loved to share his knowledge and experiences of working in the woods with anyone who had the desire to learn. He hosted Idaho Forest Products Commission and University of Idaho forest tours and was always willing to take a young new crewmember under his wing. During the opening ceremonies at Timberfest, a few of Gary and Dorine’s grandsons will perform a cross cut exhibition; Gary’s wife and children will accept the Bull-of-the-Woods award on his behalf; and Conda will have Flower Power on hand for the truck events.

Gary Doyle will long be remembered for his love of his family, friends and the outdoors. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. He enjoyed trips to Canada, The Yak and Myrtle Lake. Gary also found time to support his community. He served on the school board in Boundary County for 12 years, was a Mason, Shriner and O.E.S. member. Gary served as a Board Member of Associated Logging Contractors for five years and was a member of the organization since 1976.

Fellow classmates of the Bonners Ferry High School graduating class of 1955 and Gary’s family have established a scholarship program along with the Timber Education and Information Program. The scholarship will continue Gary’s joy of sharing education through awards to graduating seniors of his almamater.

Timberfest is a Celebration of Our Timber Heritage, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. What a fitting tribute to the industry and a patriarch who loved every aspect of his career.