Donald C. Doughty's Obituary
Please note the Celebration of Life that has been planned for Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Manny's in Fulton from 3:00-5:00pm
Donald Charles Doughty, 81, of Fulton, Illinois, passed away at home surrounded by family, September 13, 2025. He was born August 17, 1944, in Oelwein, Iowa, to Paul and Belva Doughty. He was the third of seven children. Don and his siblings were active at Oelwein High School, where their father was a teacher and counselor.
From Oelwein, Don went on to attend the University of Dubuque, where he majored in history, lettered in varsity football and wrestling, and met his future Judy. He graduated in the Spring of 1966. Don and Judy married in Chicago in 1967 and 2 daughters, Devon and Tricia.
Don accepted his first teaching position with the Clinton Community School System as a history teacher at Washington Middle School before moving on to Clinton High School, following the 1968 fire at the high school. Don taught in Clinton Schools for 35 years. In addition to teaching, he served as a union representative in the Clinton schools and worked hard to negotiate the best contracts possible for all teachers.
Don was also a coach for many years. He coached football, wrestling, and track and field. When asked what he enjoyed most about coaching, it wasn’t the big wins, trophies, or records, but the close relationships he developed with student athletes and fellow coaches.
Don and Judy enjoyed traveling the globe. Their journeys began when they visited their daughters in the Peace Corps in Mali and Burkina Faso. After that, they traveled to more than 50 countries across six continents, often with Don’s brothers and sisters.
Retirement brought a move from Clinton to Fulton, IL. Don became a member of the Fulton Country Club, where he served on the board for 10 years and spent many many hours working on his golf game. Always an avid card player, Don had a standing euchre game and played in bridge leagues with his wife Judy.
It is impossible to remember Don without mentioning his love for fishing and hunting. For over 50 years he spent a week or 2 every summer fishing in Canada or Alaska. These trips started with his teaching friends from Clinton, but soon included his brothers, brothers-in-law, nephews and father. The fall and winter months meant hunting with his friends and family.
Don is survived by his wife, Judy Doughty, his daughters Devon (Noah) Bartlett of Washington, D.C., and Tricia (Nicolas Burniat) Doughty of Amman, Jordan; and his four grandchildren, Aaron Bartlett, Jack Bartlett, Charlie Burniat, and Alice Burniat. He is survived by siblings Phil (Carolyn) Doughty, John (Stephanie) Doughty, Margaret Damge, Maurine Daughan, and Kim (Jenny) Doughty, as well as his sister-in-law Patricia Lee Whiteside. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Belva Doughty, his sister Mary Ellen Tambini, and his brothers-in-law Phil Damge and Jim Daughan.
What’s your fondest memory of Donald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donald?
Share a story where Donald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donald you’ll never forget.
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