From The Gallatin News Examiner
Doyle and his wife had planned a vacation this year. To honor that decision he’ll take the kids to Dauphin Island on the Alabama coast this summer.
Gallatin dad triumphs over tragedy
Jeff Doyle became a widower on April 1 when his wife died suddenly of heart failure.
Exactly one week later he lost his home and everything in it to the brutal F-3 tornado that hit Gallatin neighborhoods on April 7.
But some parts of his life weren’t swept away forever; they were strengthened.
At the top of the list is his relationship to his two children, 10-year-old Hannah and 8-year-old Tristan.
He said he’s also got a new appreciation for other big pieces of his everyday life — his church, neighborhood, friends and wider community.
Doyle said he was already an active parent, but now he’s even more committed to being a hands-on dad.
“You never know what is going to happen,†he said. “I’d say to other fathers out there: if they aren’t involved with their children, then they need to get to that place now. Just start being a father right now.â€