R.T."DOC" "Doc" Halliday

R.T. "Doc" Halliday Obituary
R.T. "Doc" Halliday, 92, of Kailua-Kona, HI, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2024. He was born on February 10, 1932, in Jamaica, New York. Doc grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Damascus High School. Doc was a Disabled American Veteran (DAV) who had enlisted at age 18 in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army. He served in the Korean War and the Army National Guard. He worked for Pan American, Mohawk Airlines, Air India and Diner Fugazi Travel, specializing in airlines operations, sales, and marketing development for airlines and travel. While working in the Airline industry for 15 years he traveled around the globe eight times.
In 1969, Doc arrived in Kona. As an independent contractor, he worked as crew and captain on sport fishing boats. He was a licensed captain for the Coast Guard, assisted in boat and engine maintenance, operated his own commercial fishing boat and promoted charters and helped with the construction of Captain Beans Glass bottom boat. His love for fishing was not just a hobby, but a passion that connected him to the ocean and the community he adored. Doc served for over fifty years as he played a pivotal role in upholding Hawaiian International Billfish Tournaments integrity and traditions, serving as the tournaments dedicated Scorekeeper and Weighmaster.
Doc worked actively for the betterment of the community through his contributions in the professional, civic, and social spheres. He was a charter member of the Kona Elks Lodge. He was a 70-year member of the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of NY, and also a member of the Kailua-Kona Masons. Doc was a 48-year member of the American Legion. His experience encompassed a wide range of interest from bartending to construction and real estate. As a real estate broker and property manager, Doc owned his own small businesses specializing in commercial fishing, mac nut farming, and real estate sales. He gave generously of his time: the South Kona Aloha Lions Club as president, treasurer, and director, the Hawaii Lions Foundation as the finance chair' for the Eye Bank Fund, a supporter of Kona Community Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Celebration by supervising Virginia cooking the Black-Eyed Peas In the real estate field, Doc was the recipient of the Kona Board of Realtors (KBR) "Realtor Associate of the Year". Doc served the KBR as a committee member. He also served the Hawaii Association of Realtors as the director and treasurer of MLS Hawaii, Inc.
Doc held leadership positions in numerous other community organizations including the Kona Coffee Festival, Blood Bank, and Hospice of Kona. He was a member of Unity of Kona Church and had served on the board of directors and was instrumental in acquiring a substantial contribution for the church.
Doc had a wonderful sense of humor and was a former member of TWACBAC TDAGRS, which was responsible for numerous practical jokes perpetrated around Kona.
For 19 1/2 years, he was married to the love of his life, Virginia, whom he loved dearly. They traveled to Virginia's family reunions, and he loved her family's traditions. Doc deeply loved his daughter, niece, and nephews and their families.
Doc is preceded in death by his parents, son Thomas M. Halliday and sister Harriet Goetz. He is survived by his wife Virginia, (Kailua-Kona) his daughter Phyllis Grant, (Fairbanks, AK.) Bonus children Wilda Payton, (daughter) and Richard Payton, (son), of Phoenix, AZ; Hanai son, Mark Costa, (Kailua-Kona, HI). Niece, Nancy Goetz (Hendersonville, NC), Nephew, Neil Goetz, (Lancaster, NY), Nephew, Russell Goetz, (Holtsville, NY), three grandnieces and three grandnephews.
Military and Masonic services will be held at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery on October 17 at 11am. Seating is limited. A Celebration of Doc Halliday's Life will be held at the Kona Elks Lodge at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of Kona or Unity of Kona Church in Doc Halliday's name. Mahalo.
Doc Photo Gallery
Doc Last Fun Times (4 Photos) https://photos.app.goo.gl/poyBxyQYMjpPNfys5
Doc Halliday (22 Photos) https://photos.app.goo.gl/hTXXzJuSfBtLvgzM8
Doc Fun Times (46 Photos) https://photos.app.goo.gl/nfvcS75XG2fw46hn7