Fred Jerome 'Jerry' Doyle, 80,

Fred Jerome "Jerry" Doyle, 80, of Marion, died Aug. 2, 2021, from natural causes. Known for his tireless advocacy of children's behavioral health challenges and pioneering the Wraparound approach to family supportive services, Jerry helped transform the foster care system in California.

Born in West Bend, Wisconsin, in 1941, Jerry loved waterskiing and fast boats. Lining the windows of his garage workshop were old trophies from his racing days, and pictures of him in small, flat boats, with his pale blonde hair flying back in the wind, grinning from ear to ear. He loved things of beauty, from the outdoors to good music, to his beloved 1967 Jaguar and his wife of 51 years, Julie. He was a big bear of a man with a gentle soul. He cried at movies and even the occasional television commercial.

Originally intending to be a priest, Jerry left the seminary when he realized there were no girls there. He loved St. Francis of Assisi and the grace of light through stained glass windows. He attended Loras College and then University of California, Berkeley for graduate school where he became a licensed clinical social worker and embarked on his life-long mission to help children and families in crisis.

Jerry retired in 2009 after 39 years at the helm of what is now one of California’s largest children’s services agencies. He earned a nationwide reputation as a champion for children in crisis, and under his leadership, the agency grew from serving 140 children each year to approximately 20,000 children and their family members annually. However, his legacy extends far beyond the agency, impacting vulnerable children and families throughout California every day.

After retirement, Jerry moved to Montana where he declared that he had finally found the good life, out on the lake on a beautiful summer day with his family all around him. He is survived by his wife Julie, daughter Tasha and son-in-law Jason, and their three children Hope, Luke and Zack, and his son Derek.

Jerry will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. at the Glacier UU Fellowship. The address is 1515 Trumble Creek Road, Kalispell, MT.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Uplift Family Services in honor of Jerry, his legacy and his life work. He would be heartened to see families and children being lifted out of crisis, even in his passing. Donations can be made in memory of Jerry at https://upliftfs.org/get-involved/donate/