Howard Lee Dougherty, 89 years, 3 months, and 2 days old, passed to heaven on June 29, 2011 at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Mo.
Howard was born March 27, 1922 in Ava, Mo., to Benjamin and Ollie (Lee) Dougherty. He lived most of his life in Ava, Mo.
On March 19, 1947 Howard and Juanita Dobbs were united in marriage in Mtn. Home, Ark., and to this union seven children were born.
Howard was a member of the Happy Home Church. He served in the church as a deacon and Sunday school superintendent for several years. He was a World War II veteran and served with the U.S. Army Air Force. Howard worked as a farmer, truck driver, small engine repair, auto body and had retired from Ava City Works Dept.
He enjoyed horses and especially the Missouri Fox Trotters. He had volunteered driving the water truck to keep the arena looking in tip top shape for the Fox Trotters events for many years. He also enjoyed old western movies and music. Most of all, Howard loved being with all his family and especially his grandchildren.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gary Dougherty; five sisters, Helen Davis, Dortha Phillips, Hazel and Leota Erdahl and Verlon Dougherty; four brothers, Bob, Clarence, Delbert and Asbury.
Howard is survived by his wife, Juanita Dougherty, Ava, Mo.; six children, Suzetta Lee and Marshall Yates, Norwood, Mo., Ginni and Don Smith, Rogersville, Mo., Patty and Richard McFarlin, Farmington, Mo., Kathy Dougherty, Ava, Mo., Keith and Jennifer Dougherty, Branson, Mo., and Kevin Dougherty, Ava, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Howard were Saturday, July 2, at 10 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home Ava, with burial in the Pleasant Home Cemetery with full military honors by Douglas County American Legion Post 112 and Ava VFW Post 5593. Officiating were Pastor J.W. O’Neal and Pastor Paul Welch. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to Pleasant Home Cemetery or Happy Home Church.
On line condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.
