Doyle Landon Raulston

Doyle Landon Raulston, 80, Versailles, Kentucky, husband, father and grandfather, happily cast off the shackles of this mortality and returned to the arms of his Father in Heaven on April 2, 2018. Doyle was born to BL and Louise Igo Raulston in Texarkana, Texas, September 7, 1937. Doyle had fond memories of growing up in Texas. He often spoke of the summer Saturdays he spent with his uncle selling watermelons in the town square in Clarksville. He often spoke of his first dog, Porter, “Porter,” a German Shepherd. During WWII dogs were needed for the war effort and “Porter” was “drafted” into the military. Doyle’s father served in the U. S. Army during WWII. While serving in Italy, Doyle’s mother moved the family to California. She informed her husband by mail, “Don’t come home to Texas; we now live in Tehachapi, California.” Tehachapi was the perfect place to raise the energetic young Doyle. He loved to entertain family and friends with stores of blowing up tires and trees with a case of dynamite he and his friends had found. At age 15, they would all hop a freight train to Bakersfield, 50 miles away, rent a hotel room, and spend the weekend watching double feature movies at three different movie theaters. At age 17, near the end of the Korean Conflict, Doyle joined the U. S. Navy and served as a Storekeeper aboard the USS Bausell. In the early 1960’s, Doyle moved to Bakersfield and became employee number 25 for Continental Telephone Company. He worked many late nights in the relatively new area of data processing. In 1977 he was promoted to Local Manager in Exeter, California. He was a popular and active member of the Lion’s Club and the Exeter Chamber of Commerce. In 1984, Doyle suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. He was able to work three more years before being placed on disability. This was a painfully low point in the life of this accomplished relatively young man. This did, however, open the door to a move to Versailles, Kentucky. He loved the green grass, the rolling hills, and adored horse racing! Doyle was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Through it all, always the optimist, Doyle found joy in people, furniture restoration and working in his yard. He retained his quick wit and love of people. Doyle will be remembered by his friends for his polite and gentlemanly manner. He was meticulous in everything he did, from his stylish and immaculate grooming, to his gorgeous craftsmanship. His wonderful stories will entertain many for generations to come. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Doyle is survived by his devoted wife, Karen, who served him valiantly through his last years. He is also survived by five children-Guy Raulston Lucenti, Kevin Raulston, Darron Raulston, Justin Spaulding, Juliana Christensen; 15 grandchildren; two great grandchildren and, three sisters-Dorothy Damian, Carol Damian, Terry Wood. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Blake Raulston and a sister, Nancy Lee D’Angelo. Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 14, 4:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 101 Bogie Lee Ave., Frankfort, KY. Private burial will be held at Camp Nelson National Cemetery on April 16.

Doyle Landon Raulston

September 7, 1937 - April 2, 2018