John F. Boyle Jr.
This firm and the field of municipal law lost a legend when John F. Boyle, Jr. passed away on July 20, 2020. John thoroughly enjoyed the practice of law and felt blessed to work with his clients who he considered as close to family as you could have. John was continually amazed and felt genuinely blessed that he was able to earn a living by being able to work with and assist such wonderful people. John maintained an active law practice almost until the end of his life.
Though he was born in Chicago, John’s sharp Irish wit surfaced when he explained that he “lived there for only one month before he made the decision to move to Fort Worth.” He was a Texan through and through—a loyal fan of the Dallas Cowboys and his alma mater University of Texas Longhorns. John attended Texas Christian University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1958. He attended the University of Texas School of Law and received his LL.B. in 1961.
John’s legal career was focused on municipal and governmental law from the outset and throughout the next six decades. John’s first job as a lawyer came as an Assistant District Attorney for Dallas County in 1961 and an Assistant City Attorney with the City of Dallas from 1962-1964. He served as City Attorney for the City of Irving from 1966-1970, and was a Member of the Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County from 1971-1973. John was a founding partner in 1975 of Hutchison, Boyle, Brooks, and Fisher which handled all aspects of municipal and local government law and public finance, 1975-1995. After that, John formed Boyle & Lowry, LLP with Stan Lowry and that firm has grown and thrived in the last twenty-five years. John’s commitment to putting the client first cultivated long-lasting and mutually successful engagements with the firm’s clients.
It would be easy to only mention John’s accomplishments because there were so many: his career as a municipal law attorney representing numerous cities and special districts throughout Texas; his service to his own community of Irving as City Attorney; his work as a representative of the people of the 33rd district during the 62nd Session of the Texas Legislature; and his numerous board memberships and involvement with local and statewide charitable organizations. Dear to his heart was his dedication to the Salvation Army which he served from 1989 to present, Rotary Club, 1966 to Present, Serra International, 1985 – Present, Texas Historical Foundation, 2002 to Present.
But John was bigger than those achievements, and a more complete picture of the man emerges when one hears the words of his friends. Sam Coats, a fellow Texas Historical Foundation Board member, knew Boyle for more than 50 years and said: “[John and I] ran together for the Texas Legislature in 1970, were office mates, and served together [during] the 62nd Session… He was a great public servant, the kind of person who should run for and serve in public office, but too seldom does.”
John has called the City of Irving home for both his family and his firm for many years. When John passed away, Irving lost another icon who contributed to, worked hard, and assisted in the growth of the City where he raised his family of six children.
John is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marion “Kitty” Boyle, brother Mickey of Las Vegas, his children, and ten grandchildren.
In memory of John, donations can be made to the Texas Historical Foundation, Irving Cares, or the Baylor Scott and White Irving Foundation.