- Born on: July 25, 1930
- Departed on: February 16, 2024
- Resided in: Cedar Falls , IA
Gary Reed Doughty
Our dad, Gary Reed Doughty came into this world in Chicago, IL on July 25, 1930. The skinny kid with the big nose was the oldest son of Forrest and Alyce (Fleming) Doughty. He attended the Chicago Public Schools until his sophomore year in high school. At that point, his father needed medical treatment and the family moved to Fayette, Iowa, where both of his parents had grown up. He attended school there and graduated with the class of 1948.
One of Gary’s first money-making endeavors got started when he bought a cow named Brownie. She soon had twins, but Dad had a little milk business with nine customers. Making money started early!
Dad had been taking accordion lessons since before he left Chicago. The skinny kid pulled a wagon with his accordion in it to get to the lessons. He was interested in music! He had a little band in high school called “Si Doughty and the Hotlicks!” They got a whole page in the high school annual! Later, he would give accordion lessons at The Music Corner. He also gave lessons two nights a week in an area high school.
On January 1, 1950, he married Barbara June Fauser, his high school sweetheart. They lived in a small Airstream trailer which quickly became too small! In the next four years, three children were born. Seemingly, Dad developed an enjoyment of real estate, moving eleven times in fifteen years—mostly in Black Hawk County. In 1965, the last child was born and the real estate slowed down.
Dad worked at the Waterloo Courier as a pressman for 42 years. It was considered a “trade” and he rose through the ranks of apprentice, journeyman and master. He was the last living Waterloo Courier Pressman. After work, he sold real estate—mainly in Hudson. He used those funds to put his four children through college.
In retirement, Dad and Mom spent 20 winters going to Florida where they had another set of friends. They traveled often, using low-cost airline tickets funded by passes from Terry’s job with American Airlines. Dad spent his time refurbishing two old John Deere tractors that he enjoyed taking to area tractor shows. He had his 1970 Cadillac refurbished and took it to car shows in the area. He belonged to the John Deere Tractor Club as well as the Cedar Valley Antique Car Club. He was a Lions Club member 1964-present, and he recruited over 100 members over the years. He was also a member of the United Methodist church in Hudson for about 60 years. He liked most anything he could do to get out and talk to other people!
Dad gained his angel wings on February 16, 2024 at CedarStone Senior Living. He joined his wife, Barbara; parents Forrest and Alyce Doughty; brother Keith and wife Shirley Doughty; son Terry Reed Doughty. We are certain Dad and Terry are exchanging jokes most of the time!
Children include: Deb (John) Lacock of Monticello, Jeff (Linda) Doughty of Cedar Falls, Ann Doughty of Waterloo, Steve (Michelle) Doughty of Omaha, Nebraska. Grandchildren are Tom (Traci) Lacock of Cheyenne, WY; Keith (Dana) Lacock of Severance, Colorado; Austin Doughty of Evansdale; Chris (Leah) Doughty of Cedar Falls; John Reed (Tiffany) Doughty of Waterloo; Izy Doughty and friend Blaine Schroeder of Cedar Rapids; Jack Doughty of Omaha, NE; Parker Doughty and friend Tyler Jacobsen of Omaha, NE. There are also 10 great grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Dad, until we are all together again! I’m sure we will be starved for jokes in the wake of your passing!
Visitation will be Friday, February 23 from 5:00 until 7:00 in the United Methodist Church of Hudson. Funeral services will be held on February 24th at 10:30 in the United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed towards Cedar Valley Hospice, United Methodist Church of Hudson, Alzheimer’s Association, or the Hudson Lions Club.
One of Gary’s first money-making endeavors got started when he bought a cow named Brownie. She soon had twins, but Dad had a little milk business with nine customers. Making money started early!
Dad had been taking accordion lessons since before he left Chicago. The skinny kid pulled a wagon with his accordion in it to get to the lessons. He was interested in music! He had a little band in high school called “Si Doughty and the Hotlicks!” They got a whole page in the high school annual! Later, he would give accordion lessons at The Music Corner. He also gave lessons two nights a week in an area high school.
On January 1, 1950, he married Barbara June Fauser, his high school sweetheart. They lived in a small Airstream trailer which quickly became too small! In the next four years, three children were born. Seemingly, Dad developed an enjoyment of real estate, moving eleven times in fifteen years—mostly in Black Hawk County. In 1965, the last child was born and the real estate slowed down.
Dad worked at the Waterloo Courier as a pressman for 42 years. It was considered a “trade” and he rose through the ranks of apprentice, journeyman and master. He was the last living Waterloo Courier Pressman. After work, he sold real estate—mainly in Hudson. He used those funds to put his four children through college.
In retirement, Dad and Mom spent 20 winters going to Florida where they had another set of friends. They traveled often, using low-cost airline tickets funded by passes from Terry’s job with American Airlines. Dad spent his time refurbishing two old John Deere tractors that he enjoyed taking to area tractor shows. He had his 1970 Cadillac refurbished and took it to car shows in the area. He belonged to the John Deere Tractor Club as well as the Cedar Valley Antique Car Club. He was a Lions Club member 1964-present, and he recruited over 100 members over the years. He was also a member of the United Methodist church in Hudson for about 60 years. He liked most anything he could do to get out and talk to other people!
Dad gained his angel wings on February 16, 2024 at CedarStone Senior Living. He joined his wife, Barbara; parents Forrest and Alyce Doughty; brother Keith and wife Shirley Doughty; son Terry Reed Doughty. We are certain Dad and Terry are exchanging jokes most of the time!
Children include: Deb (John) Lacock of Monticello, Jeff (Linda) Doughty of Cedar Falls, Ann Doughty of Waterloo, Steve (Michelle) Doughty of Omaha, Nebraska. Grandchildren are Tom (Traci) Lacock of Cheyenne, WY; Keith (Dana) Lacock of Severance, Colorado; Austin Doughty of Evansdale; Chris (Leah) Doughty of Cedar Falls; John Reed (Tiffany) Doughty of Waterloo; Izy Doughty and friend Blaine Schroeder of Cedar Rapids; Jack Doughty of Omaha, NE; Parker Doughty and friend Tyler Jacobsen of Omaha, NE. There are also 10 great grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Dad, until we are all together again! I’m sure we will be starved for jokes in the wake of your passing!
Visitation will be Friday, February 23 from 5:00 until 7:00 in the United Methodist Church of Hudson. Funeral services will be held on February 24th at 10:30 in the United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed towards Cedar Valley Hospice, United Methodist Church of Hudson, Alzheimer’s Association, or the Hudson Lions Club.
