John J. Doherty

1946 - 2025

Apr. 4, 1946 - Feb. 17, 2025
John Joseph Doherty died on February 17, President's Day, at the VA hospital, Los Angeles. He is survived by his cherished wife, Michael, his daughter Katie, stepsons Caleb, Chris, and Lucas, and grandchildren Ben, Will, Ari, Aleta, Peter, Emily, and Lily, to whom he was dearly known as their beloved grandfather, Papa John. He was the third child of the nine children of Frank W and Barbara Smith Doherty born April 4, 1946, in La Cañada, CA. Survived by his brother Stephen and his sisters, Barbara, Anne, and Maribeth. He is predeceased by his parents and brothers Frank, Terry and Tom and sister, Kathleen. John was so many things to so many people. He was a loving husband, a loyal brother, a hero, a dad, a papa, a special uncle, especially to his nephew Andy, and a good friend, particularly to Chase. John had 50 first cousins and was especially fond of his distant cousins at the Doherty homestead in Glenmore, Kilkenny Ireland.
A graduate of St. Bede School and St. Francis High School in La Cañada, his studies were interrupted by the Vietnam War. From which he recieved a Purple Heart. John served in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. He was seriously wounded in Vietnam with the Marines in May, 1968. He endured the consequences of those injuries for the rest of his life. After the Navy, he continued his studies at USC and earned his law degree at Loyola Law School. He practiced law as a successful trial attorney with his own firm for 50 years.
John will be sorely missed by so many, but we were blessed by his presence in our lives.
Service: Church of the Good Shepherd, 504 N Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, March 22 at 11a.m.