Doyle A. Dumas

Doyle A. Dumas, of Wentzville, Missouri, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the age of 97.

Born in El Dorado, Arkansas, Doyle went on to live an extraordinarily full life devoted to faith, family, and music education.

Doyle was the beloved husband of Betty Jean Dumas; devoted father of Benjamin Dumas, Laura (Paul) Musket, Amy Colon, and Joel Dumas; loving stepfather of Ron (Pandora) Schlitt, John (Beth) Schlitt, and RJ Schlitt; treasured grandfather of 13 and great-grandfather of many; and a beloved uncle, cousin, teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend to countless others.

Doyle is preceded in death by parents Benjamin and Stella Dumas, late wife Dorotha "Dot" Dumas, brother Ben Dumas, sister Maxine Tillman, and stepsons Roger and Rick Schlitt, and stepdaughter Renda Clark.

Music was one of the defining passions of Doyle’s life. A gifted singer, musician, conductor, and educator, he earned his doctorate in music from Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, now part of Vanderbilt University, and devoted his career to sharing his talents and his love of music with generations of students and audiences.

During his service in the United States Army, Doyle was a musician with the 84th Army Band and became the founder and conductor of the 84th Army Band Chorus, which he led through 1956. That same year, he won the prestigious All-Army Entertainment and Talent Contest.

In 1957, Doyle began what would become a remarkable 31-year tenure at Southeast Missouri State University. He served as choral director and as chair of the Department of Music, helping shape the university’s music program and influencing generations of students before retiring in 1988. To his students, he was affectionately known as “DAD,” a fitting nickname drawn from his initials, Doyle A. Dumas. Under his direction, his choirs performed throughout Europe, at Carnegie Hall, and numerous Missouri Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association conventions.

Throughout his career, Doyle received numerous honors in recognition of his contributions to music education. In 1976, he received the Luther T. Spayde Award- Choral Director of the Year from the Missouri American Choral Directors Association. In 2008, he was inducted into the Missouri Music Educators Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a lifetime spent teaching, conducting, performing, and inspiring others.

His musical life extended well beyond the classroom and continued throughout retirement. Doyle performed with the St. Louis Chamber Chorus and was a recording artist for Columbia Records for the Follett Publishing Company School Music Series. Later, while living in eastern Tennessee, he continued sharing his voice as a member of the JOY (Just Old Youth) Choir, Johnson City Chorale, Tusculum Community Choir, West Carolina Community Choir, and the Chancel Choir at Central Baptist Church.

Doyle’s commitment to future generations of musicians continued through the establishment of the Doyle A. Dumas Choral Scholarship through the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation. Created by his former students in his honor, the scholarship ensures that his passion for music and education will continue to benefit students for years to come.

Retirement gave Doyle the opportunity to travel the world and enjoy many of the things he loved most. He explored the country in his motor home, played golf, hiked scenic trails, and enjoyed horseback riding. He also treasured good company, good food, and the simple pleasure of sharing time and conversation with family and friends.

Doyle lived his 97 years with enthusiasm, purpose, and joy. While his professional accomplishments were many, his greatest legacy lives on in the thousands of students he taught and encouraged, the musicians he inspired, the audiences he moved, and the family and friends who shared his life. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of faith, family, music, and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Memorial contributions may be made in Doyle's name to the Doyle A. Dumas Choral Scholarship. Online at https://semo.edu/giving/ and by choosing "Other" under designation and referencing the name of the scholarship in the comments section. Or by mail to Southeast Missouri State University Foundation, One University Plaza, MS7300, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Please reference the scholarship name on the comment line of your check.