Worked in Ava as a teacher and coach for 24 years Gary E. “Coach” Dougherty, son of Howard and Juanita (Dobbs) Dougherty, was born on April 18, 1949 in Springfield, Mo., and passed away on June 21, 2009 at Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Mo., at the age of 60 years.
Gary was a lifelong resident of the Ava community. In August of 1976 Gary and Peggy Dansel were united in marriage in Kansas and to this union one son, Delwin, was born. Gary worked in Ava as a teacher and coach for 24 years. He taught high school history, psychology, health and drivers education and was also a driving instructor. Gary enjoyed gardening, woodworking, refinishing and restoring antiques and he loved football. Gary accepted Christ as his Savior a short time ago.
He is survived by one son, Delwin Dougherty, Kansas City, Mo.; his parents, Howard and Juanita Dougherty, Ava, Mo.; four sisters and their spouses, Suzetta and Marshall Yates, Norwood, Mo., Ginni and Don Smith, Rogersville, Mo., Patty and Richard McFarlin, Farmington, Mo., and Kathy Dougherty, Ava, Mo.; two brothers and their spouses, Keith and Jennifer Dougherty, Branson, Mo., and Kevin and Connie Dougherty, Ava, Mo.; 14 nieces and nephews; two great-nephews, one great-niece and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services for Gary will be today (Thursday, June 25), and 10 a.m. at the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Rev. Paul Welch and Rev. Marvin Loftin officiating.
Interment will follow in the Pleasant Home Cemetery.
Visitation was Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. The family requests that memorials be made to the Happy Home Church, Ava. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.
