Arthur James Doyle

After 91 years, Art Doyle didn?t wake up on the morning of November 24, 2014.

Visitation will be held at Cure? of Ars Catholic Church on Friday, November 28, from 10 am to 11 am. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow, beginning at 11 o?clock. Immediately after Mass, there will be an informal luncheon in the Father Burak Room of the Church. All are encouraged to join the family. Later in the day, Internment will be held privately, at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Born in 1923, Dad grew up during the depression and felt lucky at age 14 to have an after-school job at the local grocery store. With a strong work ethic, he completed college at age 19 and enrolled in Boston Law School. Just 6 months later, he left law school to join the U.S. Navy. Serving as a carrier-based fighter pilot, he flew the F4U4 Corsair aboard the USS Antietam in the Pacific and Asiatic Fleet. On 9/02/45, as General MacArthur accepted the surrender of Japan, Dad?s squadron was ordered to "buzz the roof-tops" of Seoul, Korea and to circle the state capital building in tight formation, while the Japanese flag was lowered and the American flag was raised. "Deacon Doyle" loved that moment and flying the "Whistling Devil".

In 1946, Dad was forced to retire from the Navy because of a serious lung condition related to flying in de-compressed cockpits. He had decided against law school and planned to study aeronautical engineering at MIT, where he had been offered a scholarship, but his father, an attorney, insisted he return home to study law. Although disappointed at first, he must have had a change of heart, as he graduated tops in his class from Boston Law School.

Because of his lung condition, doctors suggested he?d live more comfortably in the arid southwest climate. While in-route to southern California, in search of employment, he stopped to visit friends at the Olathe Naval Air Station and found himself at the Lake of the Ozarks, fishing all day and coon hunting all night (on horseback, with loaded shotguns and whiskey). The east coast attorney had been introduced to the Wild West ? where the climate was hot and dry! One week later, he had several job offers and joined the law firm that is known today as Spencer Fane Britt & Browne.

Art?s specialty was corporate law and he was hired primarily to assist the KCP&L Company, a major client of the law firm. Glenda Luehring, a KU graduate from Leavenworth, was a secretary with KCP&L and assigned to assist him. Initially, she thought he was the rudest man she?d ever met, but one year later, the two were married and proceeded to have 7 children in 9 years, including two sets of Irish twins, born 11 months apart, followed by a do-it-yourself grandchild, 5 years later.

After 24 years with the law firm, Arthur resigned to join KCP&L, as its in-house legal counsel, and was eventually promoted to Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board. He was a passionate advocate for all of the company?s constituents, intensely committed to the difficult task of balancing the best long-term interests of the company?s customers, employees and shareholders.

Throughout his career, Arthur served on more than 36 economic, educational, industrial, civic and charitable associations, foundations and commissions. True to form, if he was involved, he was thoroughly committed, serving as Chairman of many of these organizations. Like so many of his generation, he rarely spoke of his contributions and accomplishments.



Late in life, without his best friend and loving wife, Glenda, he found enjoyment with his seven children and their families - and they with him. This was a fitting end to his life, given that his only expressed regret was working too many hours and not spending more time with family.

The family takes comfort believing Dad and Mom are together again, united with Christ and their son, Michael, who died accidentally at 18 years of age. Also greeting him in heaven are his parents, Grace (McPhee) Doyle and Michael Joseph Doyle, his sisters, Eileen Cavanaugh, Joan Hubbert, Margery Murphy, Madeleine Shannon and Grace Sneddon, and his brothers, Dr. Joseph Doyle and the Honorable Kevin R. Doyle. He is survived by his seven children and their spouses, Teresa Doyle, Kevin (and Brenda) Doyle, Kelley (and Richard) Chance, Conaught (and Steve) Loveless, Briana (and Matt) Ross, Brian (and Josie) Doyle, and Christopher (and Linda) Doyle. He is also survived by his thirteen grandchildren: Bradley and Ryan Green, Matthew Chance and Sarah Swartwood; Haley, Madalyn and Patrick Doyle; Molly Loveless; Samantha and Isabella Doyle; Howard Pontius, Jennifer Thompson and Kristen Ross; as well as his four great grandchildren, Aubrey Swartwood, Alex Green, Elijah and Ellen Thompson.

The family is grateful to God for the long life of Arthur James Doyle, for the many friends of our family, and for all your prayers. In lieu of flowers, Arthur?s preference would be donations to Catholic Charities.