Doyle Allen Gilbreath

Funeral Services for Doyle Allen Gilbreath, 92, of Longview, Texas will be held Thursday, August 11, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel in Gladewater. Burial will follow at Smith Cemetery located between Big Sandy and Hawkins on (Wood) C.R. 3961 off F.M. 2659. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to services. Doyle Allen Gilbreath was born in the Smith Community located in eastern Wood County, between Hawkins and Big Sandy, Texas. He was born August 17, 1923 to Leonard Culberson Gilbreath and Ellie Mae (Snider) Gilbreath. Doyle was a long time member of the Greggton First Baptist Church. He passed from his earthly home to his Heavenly home, August 8, 2016, while residing at Heartis Assisted Living in Longview, Texas. Mr. Gilbreath was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Pearl Loys (Dow) Gilbreath; also his sisters, Mildred Gilbreath, Bennie Young, and son, Ben Everett Gilbreath. Doyle is survived by his son, Don Allen Gilbreath and wife, Robbie; three grandsons: Kevin Allen Gilbreath, and wife, Jenny, Kyle Hartwell Gilbreath and Kirk David Gilbreath and wife, Shannon. Five great-grandchildren: Logan Zingoni Gilbreath, and wife, Kealy, Lukas Reid Gilbreath, Cade Allen Gilbreath, Madison Leighanna Gilbreath, and Kaitlyn Brooke Gilbreath; two nieces, one nephew and their children; daughter-in-law, Jackie Gilbreath, her daughter and Jackie"s 3 granddaughters. Mr. Gilbreath was a veteran of World War II. He was married to Pearl Dow in March 1943 while in the U.S. Army Air Force. He served as a crew-member on C54, B24, and other aircraft during WW-2 in the Pacific theater; eventually was stationed in the Kaijo Building, in Tokyo Japan, before returning home to the USA after the war. Mr., Gilbreath worked most of his life as an auto body repair man, and as a manager at dealerships. He also owned and operated of his own Paint & Body shop in Tyler, Texas. Most of his life was spent working to take care of his family members. He had a special gift for taking care of others. Doyle and Pearl celebrated their 50th anniversary on March 20, 1993. After her passing away in July of 2000, he again began to assist in the care of the Smith Cemetery which he and his father (Cub) worked when Doyle was a small boy. Serving as pallbearers are Kevin, Kyle, Kirk, Logan, Lukas, & Cade Gilbreath. The family wishes to give a special thanks to Heartis of Longview; and to their compassionate personnel for taking care of him for these many weeks. Also a special thanks to East Texas Hospice and to Elite Caregivers for their part in care, information, supplies, and comfort to the Gilbreath family. Matthew 25:21A "Well done, good and faithful servant."