Obituary of Gerald Leland Doherty

Lt. Col. (Ret/USAF) Gerald "Jerry" L. Doherty, Sr., 85 of Punta Gorda, FL, passed from this life to his next "great adventure" on Wednesday, August 10, 2016. Jerry was born in Minneapolis, MN, but lived in many areas of the world during his 22 year military career. He most enjoyed his time spent in California where he worked, amongst other jobs, in Hollywood as a military technical advisor, and in Alabama, at Maxwell AFB teaching and developing programs for the varied schools of Air University; but he always maintained that the highlight and career/life defining tour was his tour in Viet Nam. He retired from the military in Alabama and founded Marengo Plantation Teahouse where he and his wife catered elite dinners/weddings in their antebellum home. He and his family moved to Punta Gorda from Lowndesboro, AL, in 1988. He was very active in his children's sporting activities throughout his life including coaching and announcing. He is greatly missed by his wife of 42 years, Allison; children Kathleen (Bill) Blair, Suzanne (Tom) Sheriff, Gerald L. "Kip" (Bonnie) Doherty, Jr., Dennis (Diana) Doherty, David (Erin) Doherty, Julia Anne (Michael) Rudden, and Lt. Joseph "Joe Lee" Doherty, USN; 16 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; brother, Daniel (Judi) Doherty; brother-in-law Gregory Lewis and a multitude of nieces, nephews and friends. Preceding him in death were his four sisters, Delores, Jean, Joan and Camilla. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2nd, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, at 11:00 A.M. with lunch immediately following at the clubhouse at Fountain Court Condominiums in Punta Gorda. Interment will be at 11:30 A.M. the following day, Monday, Oct. 3rd at Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the USO (www.uso.org) would be greatly appreciated. [uso.org is the home page. Scroll to near the bottom of the page to the line that says TAKE ACTION click on this then click on GIVE. Under ways to give go to "Gifts in Honor or Memory of Loved One" here's where you can donate in memory of Lt.Col Gerald Doherty, USAF]