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Joseph Dougherty Obituary
Col. Dougherty, a native of Glasgow, was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
His children said he entered the Air Force because of his passion for flying.
His son Dr. Mark Dougherty said his father "could recognize any airplane just by listening to the sound of the engine."
Col. Dougherty earned a master's degree in English from Vanderbilt University and taught English at the U.S. Air Force Academy. In 1966, when he and other faculty members saw that their former students were being assigned to combat duty in Vietnam, they volunteered to serve too.
While flying C-123s with the Ranch Hand squadron in Vietnam, Col. Dougherty was spraying Agent Orange over the jungle when his plane was shot down and crash-landed on top of an underground Viet Cong field hospital on Oct. 31, 1966, Mark Dougherty said.
Mark Dougherty said his father recounted being rescued by helicopter that lowered a chair into the jungle. Col. Dougherty was awarded the Purple Heart for his service.
He went on to serve with the NATO staff in Germany and complete an assignment at the Pentagon before returning to Kentucky to lead the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Kentucky from 1977 to 1980.
After he retired, Col. Dougherty bought a Cessna and in 1999 achieved his goal of touching down in each of the 48 contiguous states in five days, 11 hours and five minutes.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Smith Dougherty, and four children.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Tates Creek Presbyterian Church in Lexington, where Col. Dougherty was a founding member. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Dougherty
11 Entries
Bryan Conn
September 18, 2016
I served with Joe for 2 years in the English Department at the Air Force Academy (1963-65), and always had the highest respect for his demeanor and ability as an officer and gentleman.
September 23, 2011
Dear Dougherty family, so sorry to hear of your loss. my family has you all in our prayers god bless you all.
Alison Daniel King
(Dr. and Shirley Daniel's Daughter)
Rudy Novak
September 23, 2011
Dear Shirley and Dougherty Family:
Mary Jo and I were deeply saddened when our daughter Diane Cross told us of Mr. Doughtery's passing. He was an outstanding positive influence on our grandson, Zachary during a time when Zachary needed a close and trusted friend. We will forever be thankful for the time, the effort, the guidance and friendship Mr. Dougherty shared with Zachary. Zachary really loved and respected Mr. Dogherty. We feel this relationship will have a long term impact on Zachary's life. May the Lord bless you during this time with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
Rudy and Mary Jo Novak
Joel Huyser
September 22, 2011
Dear Amy and family, I can only imagine what an example your father must have been from knowing you and her sister and niece. May God comfort you as you celebrate the life of your father and grandfather. Joel and Jeannie Husyer
Sharon Brinks
September 22, 2011
Dear Amy and family - you are in the thoughts and prayer of many here in the US and in Nicaragua. Sharon Brinks
Love is eternal!
Suzy and Scott Phillips
September 21, 2011
Dearest Shirley and Dougherty Family,
We are so truly blessed to have gotten to meet and know Joe this Summer. What a wonderful legacy he has left in your family. It is apparent in each and every one of you that we have met that his passion for life lives on. A photo of Shirley and Joseph on July 3, 2011 at Kathleen and Joseph's engagement party shows the love.
Our prayers and heartfelt condolences during this time of loss.
Suzy and Scott Phillips
Paul Ratliff
September 21, 2011
I served under Col. Dougherty in the University of Kentucky Air Force ROTC back in 1980. He was one of a kind. He never bragged about any of his many accomplishments. The model officer, I think.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Wanda & Jerry Goerz
September 20, 2011
May our loving God enfold each of you as you grieve the loss of your wonderful husband,father and grandfather.
Angie Bullock
September 20, 2011
Our condolences to all the family.
September 19, 2011
Dear Sweet Shirley and Amy and Jeannie and Lenore and Mark: Praises to God for having given us Joe for these psat 80 years. What a wonderful testimony to God and His love for us all have we been blessed to see and witness in Joe's life and throughout his entire family. I thank God for the privilege of having known Joe that past 20+ years. He and all of you have enriched my life in more than than I can ennumerate. With all my love and then some more, Deb. Jones
Scott Durham
September 19, 2011
I was able to take care of Mr. Dougherty while he stayed at the hospital. Even though we were unable to communicate through voice, I feel as if we were able to communicate spiritually. I listened to the stories of his family and was amazed by the life in which he had lived. No matter how much I tired to seperate myslef emotionally from Mr. Dougherty, I couldn't. I developed a bond with him in just 2 days that it would probably take a life time to do so with anyone else. This is not good bye Sir, it's a, I'll see you real soon. We will feast at his table together.
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