Obituary of James Ralph Doyen

James Ralph Doyen Lansing, MI 'Captain Jim' passed on December 21, 2014 at the age of 82, of liver cancer. He was born April 16, 1932 to Eunice Marie (Wilson) and James F. Pruett in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was raised on a farm in Deford, Michigan by his mother and her second husband, Francis Merlin Doyen, who later adopted James. He graduated from Cass City High School in 1951 and married his high school sweetheart, Joan Marie Downing, on May 5, 1956. James served in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and later attended MSU. He was fond of anything with an engine, especially the airplanes he once flew, and the cars with which he tinkered. He was retired from the State of Michigan Fire Marshal Office. Retirement included many family camping trips to Holiday Park Campground in Traverse City, MI. He was known to his mother and wife as 'Ralph'. To others he was 'Jim', 'JR', and 'The Captain'. More importantly, he was Dad and Daddy, Grandpa and Gramps to those near and dear. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepbrothers, and many other dear ones, including his beloved wife Joan in June 2013. Surviving to cherish his memory are daughters Kathy Davis and Terri Assaf Worden (Randy); grandchildren Feras Assaf and Omar Assaf, Stephanie Davis Wesselmann (Pat), Dr. Samantha Davis Hauff (Dr. Niels), and Jack Davis; and great-grandchildren Olivia Wesselmann and Henry Hauff. The family is served by the Cremation Society of Mid-Michigan. A family memorial service is planned for Spring 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Eaton Community Palliative Care (2675 South Cochran, Charlotte, MI 48813), whose staff cared for 'Captain Jim' with expertise, compassion, and concern in his final days, for which his family is very grateful.