Patrick Charles Dooling

1932 - 2008

Patrick Charles Dooling, born July 21, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois passed away peacefully in his home after a short illness surrounded by family on May 17, 2008. Patrick (Pat) was a devoted father to Kathleen McPherson (Lowell) of Sacramento, John Dooling (Jenny) of Honolulu, Hawaii, Diane Wagener (Kenny) of Fort Collins, Colorado and Michael Dooling of San Diego. He was a cherished grandfather to Kevin and Michelle McPherson and Charles Wagener. Pat was preceded in death by his brother Edward (Ted), sister-in-law Shirley and his parents Charles and Eileen Dooling. He is survived by his beloved sisters Lynne Dobar and Charlene Johanson.

Pat was a 32 year resident of La Jolla. He graduated from Glendale High in Los Angeles in 1950 where he was a member of the infamous Los Gatos club. After high school he and several classmates, with whom Pat has remained close, enlisted in the US Air Force. Using the GI bill and an athletic scholarship, Pat played basketball for the University of San Francisco and graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in 1957. Pat enjoyed a long and successful career with Xerox Corporation in marketing and management positions which included assignments in Los Angeles; Sacramento; Alexandria, Virginia and Tustin, California before managing the office in San Diego where he retired. He was a past member of the San Diego Rotary Club and the La Jolla Kiwanis Club. He was a past director of the Gillispie School and spirited volunteer for the La Jolla half-marathon and the Kiwanis Special Olympics.

Pat was an enthusiastic tennis player before he focused his athletic pursuits on the golf course. An avid golfer who played up to three times per week, Pat travelled with friends to enjoy courses throughout California, Hawaii, in Mexico, and the hallowed grounds of St. Andrews in Scotland. But his favorite course was right in his backyard where he experienced many of his best and most challenging golf moments playing Torrey Pines. He was an active member of the Torrey Pines Men's Club and his love of the sport will be felt by many who will miss him when Torrey hosts this year's US Open. Pat also belonged to the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club where his family celebrated many happy times together, including his 75th birthday last July. He was a lover of life and the patriarch of a large extended family who thought the world of him and will miss him deeply.

A celebration of Pat's life will be held at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club on June 28, 2008 from 10a -12p. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Lung Association.