Doyle Brashear

July 26, 1934 - March 18, 2018

Doyle Brashear passed away peacefully on March 18, 2018 in Napa, California at the age of 83. Doyle is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Carol (Martini) Brashear of Napa, his son, Curt Brashear of Napa and daughter, Leslie Brashear of Atlanta, Georgia. He also leaves a daughter in law, Kathy (Chermack) Brashear Napa; granddaughters Sarah Brashear and Rachel Brashear; sister Carole (Brashear) Gotelli; brothers Gary Brashear and Michael Brashear. He is preceded in death by his parents, Doyle and Barbara Brashear. Doyle was born on July 26, 1934 in Monrovia, California. His family later moved to Guerneville, in Sonoma County where he spent his teen years attending Analy High School. In 1956 he moved to Napa and worked at Samson Rossi Hardware as an appliance repairman. It was here that he met his wife, Carol. They were married in Reno, Nevada in 1958. Doyle served in the California National Guard in Fort Ord, and Fort Lewis, Wash., from 1957 to 1959. Afterwards, he continued his career in the appliance industry, first with his own store, Doyle’s Appliances in Napa and then with Gibson Appliances, which took his young family to Greenville, Michigan in 1969. The following year he was promoted to Divisional Sales Manager of the Southeast states and they moved to Decatur, Georgia. Then in 1977 he moved his family into his dream home on Lake Lanier in Cumming, Georgia. In 1983 he was finally transferred back to the Bay Area and settled again in Napa where he and Carol lived on the family ranch in Coombsville until his death. Doyle’s career also gave him and Carol opportunities to visit many countries outside of the United States. They visited Japan, Spain, Ireland, Yugoslavia (Croatia) and The Bahamas as well as personal trips which included Australia, France, Italy, and Switzerland and many parts of the United States. In his free time, Doyle enjoyed working with his hands, and was an accomplished wood worker. He built countless birdhouses, bookshelves, and even lettered signs for his children and grandchildren. He also loved to be on the water and enjoyed spending the day on his boat with his family. As a young man, he combined these two passions and built his own boat. His family remembers Doyle as the man they could count on for home repairs and remodeling projects. When he wasn’t boating, he was working on remodels, additions, or home repairs. In later years, Doyle was always willing to help his grown children with their own home improvements. He was an intelligent man who loved his crossword puzzles, watching This Old House, travel shows and playing along with Jeopardy. He was a doting grandfather who spent many hours at Sarah and Rachel’s sporting events and school functions. He loved family vacations at the lake and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. His presence at family functions will be missed. The family is planning a private memorial service to honor Doyle and his life.