Joseph “Joe” C. Doyle, 68, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on June 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
The Rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. with the visitation from 4–6 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at the Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 20, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, KS. A luncheon and reception will follow the Mass in the Martha and Mary Room.
Joe was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Emery “Joe” Doyle and Catherine (née Dobbins) Doyle. He grew up in the Terrace Lake neighborhood in Hickman Mills, where he spent his boyhood riding bikes with the neighborhood kids and going on adventures with his loyal dog, Bootsy. He attended St. Catherine’s Grade School—unaware that his future wife, Kathy, was just two grades ahead of him. Joe was very involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He loved the annual summer camps at Bartle, participated in The Explorers Program, and earned his Eagle Scout of which he was very proud.
Joe went on to attend Rockhurst High School, graduating in 1974. While there, he played on the junior varsity football team and sang in the Glee Club. His time at Rockhurst became the stuff of family legend: tales of cherry bombs in the school restrooms, crashing his buddy’s car into a fire hydrant while riding shotgun, and even briefly living inside the school were stories retold with laughter for years. Joe’s struggle with Spanish led the Jesuits to offer him an alternative—computer programming—which serendipitously paved the way for his long and successful career in IT and .NET development.
He continued his education at Rockhurst College, earning an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and later returning to obtain his MBA. In 1980, he purchased a Vitamin C Orange 1970 Plymouth GTX with the 440 6-pack. He lovingly restored the vehicle with his brother Kevin and proudly maintained it until his passing with his dear friend Gary. The GTX was a fixture at HPAC car shows and cruise nights throughout Kansas City for decades.
In 1982, Joe met the love of his life, Kathy, at a mutual friend’s wedding. After a few years—and a bit of gentle nudging—he proposed. They were married on April 12, 1985, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO. In 1987, they moved into a new home in Overland Park, Kansas, where they joined Holy Spirit Catholic Church and began building a life rooted in faith and family.
Joe and Kathy were blessed with three sons—Patrick, John, and Michael. Joe was a devoted father, deeply involved in every aspect of his sons’ lives. He coached little league baseball, carved Pinewood Derby cars, sat through numerous piano and Jazz Band recitals with pride, braved countless Boy Scout overnights, and trained the family dogs with patient persistence.
Joe and Kathy made countless sacrifices to send their sons to Rockhurst High School, proudly continuing the family legacy as the third generation of Doyles to attend.
As a lifelong Catholic, Joe was an active member of Holy Spirit Parish and served as the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council. His faith was central to his life and quietly guided everything he did.
Outside of work and family, Joe had a passion for baking—especially around the holidays. On Thanksgiving, everyone wanted to get a piece of his pumpkin pie! He was also a gifted listener, the kind of person who made everyone feel comfortable, heard, and included.
Joe was incredibly proud of his sons' accomplishments, especially seeing each of them graduate from college and witnessing the weddings of his two oldest sons. He welcomed his daughters-in-law, Mary and Kindall, with open arms and treated them like his own. In recent years, he found immense joy in his granddaughter, Rose, whose presence brought out some of the brightest smiles his family had ever seen.
The family participated in Kansas City’s annual Irish Fest at Crown Center. Joe’s love of his Irish ancestry led the entire family to volunteer as Site Coordinators and Volunteer Tent helpers for 20 plus years. Such wonderful memories were made with family and friends, and the family will continue with this tradition in Joe’s honor for years to come.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Kathy; their three sons: Patrick (Mary), John (Kindall), and Michael; his sister Mary Orfali and brother Kevin Doyle; his granddaughter, Rose; brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Joe was eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new grandchild in December, but he will now serve as the Guardian Angel of Baby Boy Doyle. His cherished dogs are already feeling the loss of their beloved Doggie Dad. Shantee, Lilly and Lucy were his constant companions and they are struggling with their loss as well.
His loss will be deeply felt, but his memory will live on in the lives of all those who were blessed to know and love him. Joe’s kindness, his sense of humor, and his quiet strength leave behind a legacy of love. Joe is now free to sing with the Angels. So “sing like a nightingale” and tell everyone “I want cherry!” Heaven will take good care of you until we are all reunited again in God’s Heavenly Kingdom!
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Rockhurst High School or Carl's Cause.