From the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In the picture, he is far right.
Larry Doyal had a hand in the construction of numerous strip malls, shopping centers and office complexes that dot metro Atlanta.
And while appreciative of the living he earned, no project meant as much to him as Just People, Inc., a nonprofit he helped found. It provides housing and services for the mentally ill, challenged adults and those with head injuries.
In 2004, Mr. Doyal helped secure financing for the Just People Village — an apartment complex located off Marietta Highway in Roswell. Two years ago, he played a role in the creation of Village Walk, a sister complex of townhomes off Burns Walk in Lilburn. The complexes lease apartments to 154 residents and are staffed 24 hours a day.
Mr. Doyal possessed a special heart for the developmentally disabled. His daughter, Julie Ann Doyal, has lived in the Roswell complex since its inception.
“We decided to have a special place so parents can be reassured their children can have a place,” said Mari Bullard Doyal, his wife of 53 years. “They work, cook their own meals and have wonderful activities.”
About 20 years ago, Becky Dowling worked with an agency that served the Doyals’ disabled daughter. She had an idea for a program of her own and Mr. Doyal proved pivotal.
“I don’t know if I would have been able to pull off the villages without Larry,” said Mrs. Dowling, the nonprofit’s executive director. “He did things on a handshake and people opened doors for me just because of him. He had the connections, the drive and the support.”
Larry K. Doyal, 79, of Atlanta, died from a brain tumor on July 16 at Hospice Atlanta. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 30 at Northwest Presbyterian Church. Cremation Society of the South in Marietta is in charge of arrangements.
An Atlanta native, Mr. Doyal attended Boys’ High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He graduated from Marist and enrolled at Georgia Tech, where he played football. He transferred to Auburn University, earned a business degree and in 1953 became an insurance salesman for Coastal States Life. That same year, he earned his real estate license and joined the family firm.
Mr. Doyal built, managed or leased numerous office buildings, apartment complexes, townhomes and shopping centers here and elsewhere. He co-developed subdivisions too, including Doyal Mills Court in Stone Mountain.
But his greatest accomplishment, his wife said, was Just People, Inc., which offers challenged adults housing, job training and social activities. When he learned about Dowling’s dream, he lent her office space. The golf and tennis lover served as the nonprofit’s fund-raising director and its chairman.
“My husband and his brother built a lot of buildings and stuff,” his wife said, “but his passion was the Just People Village.”
Mrs. Dowling said a street at the Roswell complex pays tribute to a person who believed in her mission. It’s called Doyal Drive.
“If Larry had not backed this, Just People would not exist,” she said. “That’s why we named a street after him.”
Additional survivors are another daughter, Sherry Dexter of Atlanta, and two grandchildren.
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In the picture, he is far right.
