Obituaries

Dr. Tom R. Doherty

Photo of Dr. Tom R. Doherty
Dr. Tom R. Doherty, 72, of Pine Bluff, died Monday, February 14, 2011, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born August 13, 1938, in Pine Bluff, son of Neumie Ray Doherty and Willie Pocohontas Guthrie Doherty. Dr. Doherty grew up in Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1956. He attended Arkansas A&M (now University of Arkansas at Monticello) before graduating from dental school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1964. He began practicing dentistry in Pine Bluff in 1967 and was the first dentist in the state of Arkansas to become a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. He loved the relationship he developed with his patients and the challenges that dentistry offered until his retirement in June of 2010. He began his military career during college, serving in the Army Reserve and National Guard. He retired as a colonel after 26 years. Dr. Doherty threw himself whole-heartedly into numerous hobbies. He earned a pilot's certificate before he got his driver's license and flying was a life-long passion of his. He loved traveling around the world and would devote himself to studying the languages of the countries he would visit. Over the years he taught himself everything from beekeeping to electronics and oil-painting to gourmet cooking. Tom especially loved cooking for friends and family. He was never happier than when feeding a houseful of people some exotic dish he had created. Tom believed in being self-reliant. He was an avid repairman and fixed everything he owned. Tom has served on the Pine Bluff Aviation Commission and was member of the Quiet Birdman, an Honored Society of Pilots. In 1982 Tom served as Commander of the Pine Bluff Power Squadron, a division of the United States Power Squadron. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, William Ray Doherty and James Robert Doherty. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Willoughby Doherty, whom he married in 1963 in St. Louis; two sons, Christopher Michael Doherty and his wife, Audra, of Dallas, Texas and Johnathan Maxwell Doherty and his wife, Robin, of Rogers; and three grandchildren, Kyle Christopher Doherty, Sean Patrick Doherty and Finian Maxwell Doherty. A memorial service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2011 in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Reverend David Fleming officiating. Visitation will be Saturday afternoon from 1-2 p.m. at Robinson's. The family requests you bring stories to share during the visitation and service, or those who cannot attend may email them to [email protected]. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

Published February 17, 2011

Upcoming Events