Obituary for Arthur Willard Daugherty Jr.
Arthur Willard Daugherty Jr. went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on June 27, 2023 at the age of 89. He was surrounded by his family who love and adore him more than anything. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2023 at the Sunnybrook Christian Church where Art attended for over 30 years. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.
Art was born in Stillwater on July 30, 1933. He was the youngest son of Arthur Willard Sr. and Ruth (Watson) Daugherty. Art had multiple half brothers and sisters, who were an integral part of his life and gave him the nickname "Sonny". He attended Stillwater public schools through Jr. High and then moved to Ripley where he excelled in basketball, baseball, and FFA. He graduated from Ripley in 1952. Art caught the eye of a beautiful blue-eyed girl named Betty Lofton. They were married on February 1, 1953 and celebrated 70 years this past February. After the wedding, Art joined the Navy and the couple moved to Bainbridge Maryland where they lived for two years and then moved back to Oklahoma.
Art attended A&M College off and on but faced challenges balancing college with the need to support his family. Art worked at the Oklahoma State Department of Vo-tech where he retired after 20 years in 1995. Art's love for Stillwater was evident in every aspect of his life. From the meticulous care he gave to his plants and yard as well as the church lawn, to his involvement in the Washington Irving Museum. He had a passion for history and loved researching the genealogy of his family as well as the connection it had with Stillwater. He could often be found with his nose buried in a book or reading the newspaper. He loved reading and studying the Bible. In his later years, he would often read his Bible multiple times a day. Art also loved collecting coins and stamps from all over the world. Art exemplified what it meant to be a steward of heritage. Through his dedication to his community, Art left a lasting legacy.
Art is survived by his beautiful wife Betty Daugherty; his brother Jim Daugherty of Hobbs, New Mexico; four children Jim Daugherty and his wife MaryAnn of Stillwater, Don Daugherty of Stillwater, Bruce Daugherty of Stillwater, and Teresa Harrison and her husband Scott of Ripley; Six grandchildren Tausha Graham and her husband Mike of Coyle, Mindy Meson and her husband Marcos of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Jimmy Daugherty of Texas, Chrissy McCutchen and her husband Brian of Perkins, Jonathan Daugherty and his wife Tiffany of Broken Arrow, and Kyle Daugherty; great-grandchildren Cade McCutchen and his wife Savannah, Gannon McCutchen, Maddox McCutchen, Blakely McCutchen, Wyatt Arthur Graham, Kolbin Graham, Taylin Graham, Caspian Daugherty, Gavin Meson, Alexander Meson, and Nicolas Meson. His family was his pride and joy, he delighted in spending time with them and sharing a good chuckle with a wink from his sparkly blue eyes.
He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.
Art was born in Stillwater on July 30, 1933. He was the youngest son of Arthur Willard Sr. and Ruth (Watson) Daugherty. Art had multiple half brothers and sisters, who were an integral part of his life and gave him the nickname "Sonny". He attended Stillwater public schools through Jr. High and then moved to Ripley where he excelled in basketball, baseball, and FFA. He graduated from Ripley in 1952. Art caught the eye of a beautiful blue-eyed girl named Betty Lofton. They were married on February 1, 1953 and celebrated 70 years this past February. After the wedding, Art joined the Navy and the couple moved to Bainbridge Maryland where they lived for two years and then moved back to Oklahoma.
Art attended A&M College off and on but faced challenges balancing college with the need to support his family. Art worked at the Oklahoma State Department of Vo-tech where he retired after 20 years in 1995. Art's love for Stillwater was evident in every aspect of his life. From the meticulous care he gave to his plants and yard as well as the church lawn, to his involvement in the Washington Irving Museum. He had a passion for history and loved researching the genealogy of his family as well as the connection it had with Stillwater. He could often be found with his nose buried in a book or reading the newspaper. He loved reading and studying the Bible. In his later years, he would often read his Bible multiple times a day. Art also loved collecting coins and stamps from all over the world. Art exemplified what it meant to be a steward of heritage. Through his dedication to his community, Art left a lasting legacy.
Art is survived by his beautiful wife Betty Daugherty; his brother Jim Daugherty of Hobbs, New Mexico; four children Jim Daugherty and his wife MaryAnn of Stillwater, Don Daugherty of Stillwater, Bruce Daugherty of Stillwater, and Teresa Harrison and her husband Scott of Ripley; Six grandchildren Tausha Graham and her husband Mike of Coyle, Mindy Meson and her husband Marcos of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Jimmy Daugherty of Texas, Chrissy McCutchen and her husband Brian of Perkins, Jonathan Daugherty and his wife Tiffany of Broken Arrow, and Kyle Daugherty; great-grandchildren Cade McCutchen and his wife Savannah, Gannon McCutchen, Maddox McCutchen, Blakely McCutchen, Wyatt Arthur Graham, Kolbin Graham, Taylin Graham, Caspian Daugherty, Gavin Meson, Alexander Meson, and Nicolas Meson. His family was his pride and joy, he delighted in spending time with them and sharing a good chuckle with a wink from his sparkly blue eyes.
He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.