Milton Doyle Hines, 92, passed from this earth on January 6, 2024. He was born on November 24, 1931 at home in rural Madison County, Texas to John Edward Hines and Midget Mae (McMahan) Hines. He married the love of his life, Reta Pearl Peck on December 30, 1950, in Katy, Texas.

After completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Sam Houston State, Doyle took a job with San Bernard Electric Cooperative in charge of its member relations. Doyle quickly realized that the more kilowatt-hours the Cooperative sold, the less they could charge per KWh; so, under his initiative the Cooperative formed a relationship with Electro-Lux heaters and Doyle sold the dickens out of them, gaining himself a state-wide reputation. This led to a job offer by O.W. Davis, General Manager of the Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC) in Gonzales, Texas; and so, Doyle and Reta packed up and moved.

At GVEC, Doyle was quickly recognized as a leader and upon the retirement of Mr. Davis, Doyle was appointed GVEC General Manager on January 1, 1972. As at San Bernard, Doyle went about promoting all-electric homes and in short order GVEC lead the state in consumption per household; and with this level of consumption GVEC was able to lower its electric rates to one of the lowest in the State. Doyle’s success at GVEC lead to numerous state-wide and national appointments to Cooperative related organizations.

Doyle’s no-nonsense manner did not always make him the most popular individual, as was the case with his most memorable move at GVEC. In the late 1980’s, Doyle negotiated an extremely favorable buy-out of GVEC’s Rural Electrification Administration (REA) debt. GVEC was the first electric cooperative in the nation to make this move (many others have since followed), and Doyle was heavily criticized by his peers that this move would “ruin the program.” As history proved, it was the right thing to do, and throughout his entire life Doyle was a “do the right thing” kind of man.

In service to the Gonzales community, Doyle was involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Noon Lion’s Club, Odd Fellows Cemetery, as well as others, however, he took a particular interest in health care. It was primarily through his efforts (and his partner in crime Dr. Bryan Denman) that the Gonzales Healthcare District was chartered, and Gonzales Memorial Hospital was constructed.

Doyle is survived by his wife of 72 years, Reta; his son Craig (Lee), his grandsons Clayton (Dawna) and Lucas (Haylee); his great-grandsons Colton, Dawson, and Mason; as well as all those in the community and at GVEC who are grateful for having known him.

The family will receive friends from 4 pm to 6 pm Wednesday, January 10, 2024 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Thursday, January 11, 2024 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Rev. Todd Craven officiating. Interment will follow in the Gonzales Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Gonzales Odd Fellows Cemetery Association. Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.