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The morning of May 10, 2016 Paul Thomas Doherty of San Antonio, Texas passed away at University Hospital after a several month long struggle with various respiratory-related health issues. He was 75 years old. During his time in various health facilities he was visited often by his wife, several of his children and grandchildren. At the time of passing he was surrounded by his wife, several of his children and grandchildren. Paul was born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania on July 11, 1940 to Charles and Ona Doherty. He was one of twenty children. Throughout his life, God, family and country were the most important things to him. At Honesdale Catholic High School, he was captain of the basketball team and President of his senior class. His athletic prowess was such that he was chosen to participate at the regional level in basketball. After graduating from high school in 1958 he joined the U.S. Army, beginning his military career at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. The following year, he returned to Honesdale to marry his childhood sweetheart, Rosa Lee Brown, on June 13, 1959 following her high school graduation. They first met when he was 12 and she was 11. When recently asked about his lifelong devotion to his wife, his response - characteristic of the love found in the romantic love story The Notebook, was, "I waited..and while I waited, I played a lot of basketball. I've never loved any other woman but you." Shortly after their marriage, they both departed for Germany for his first overseas assignment. While stationed in Germany, Rosa gave birth to their first child, Roxanne, in 1960. Following his next transfer stateside to Ft. Detrick Frederick, Maryland along came their set of twins Pamela and Paula in 1962. During this time of his career, he was a Medical Lab Specialist. In 1964, he accepted commission as an officer candidate at Ft. Sill Oklahoma where he specialized in artillery. In 1965, Paul Thomas Jr. came along while Paul Sr. was stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He served with distinction in the Vietnam War from 1966-1967 and in Korea in the DMZ from 1970-1971. During this time, he received many medals and commendations including the: • National Defense Service Medal • Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal • Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross • The Army Commendation Medal • Bronze Star • Cross with Silver Star • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal • The Vietnam Service Medal for Marksmen, Rifle and Marksmen, Hand Grenade Throughout his entire career, he received numerous commendation letters, including one for his outstanding performance of duty while serving as an officer. After serving in the Army 20 years with the highest standard of conduct, high moral and strong character he retired from active duty in 1978 with the grade of Major. After a brief stint working with juvenile delinquents, he began employment with the Civil Service in 1979 continuing to serve his country in the Quality Assurance Program. His first assignment as a Quality Assurance Specialist in Ammunition began with training in Savannah, Illinois then to Letterkenny, Pennsylvania then back to Germany. Following his last European assignment he returned stateside to Barstow, California to continue in this role. They moved to San Antonio in 2000 for his final Civil Service assignment, allowing Paul's career to come full circle. In total, Paul served his country in the U.S. Army and Civil Service almost 56 years! During his busy military and Civil Service career he continued his education completing his Bachelor's Degree in General Business and Psychology from the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts in 1973. He received his Masters of Science degree from Shippensburg State College in 1983, at the same time one of his daughters received her Bachelor's degree. At each assignment Paul had, he and Rosa enjoyed life, going on cruises to exotic places such as Hawaii, Alaska and Israel. While in Barstow, they made frequent trips to Las Vegas to enjoy the many shows, great food, shopping venues, walking the strip and visiting KILA, the Christian radio station in Vegas. Frequent trips to Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Colorado allowed them the opportunity to visit their children and grandchildren. Several of the grandchildren have continued in their grandfather's footsteps by also serving in the armed forces Air Force. Those who knew Paul appreciated his dedication to not only his job and country, but also to his wife, children and extended family. He was known for his generosity not only to his family, but also to numerous charitable organizations and to his coworkers. When overtime was required of his work unit, he would either bring in food or cook for his men, as he was an excellent cook. Paul seemed to have an uncanny mutual affinity, gift if you will, toward children and dogs. Anywhere he went, he would "light up" at the sight of a child or a dog. He had a special soft spot in his heart for and bond with Gesine, the last German shepherd that they owned. He and Rosa adopted San Antonio as their own and came to identify themselves as Texans. His favorite basketball team was of course, the Spurs. But he could be picky, allowing only his beloved hairstylist, Benita, to touch his hair! After he would get his hair cut, the shop would offer him any color of dum dum lollipop he wanted, but would pick out only the red ones from Julie. He also enjoyed Christian and country music. While in San Antonio, Paul and Rosa enjoyed being members of Cornerstone Church for 15 years. He worked full time as a Quality Assurance Specialist in Ammunition up until the time he went into the hospital in January of 2016. The many things he did throughout his military career and family life are too numerous to mention. He was a devoted husband of 57 years; a proud involved father, coaching his son's football team, taking his daughters and son to their many events and activities and never missing a single recital, game or concert. Family ties were so strong in the Doherty clan, that after helping a relative on their farm one summer that member chose "Paul" as his confirmation name. He was known by many names: Major, boss, "the man in black", mentor, friend, husband, partner, golfer, dad, grampa, grampy and most importantly a follower of Jesus. Here are some personal thoughts from some of his family members: During the many trips to/from class at Shippensburg with his daughter while working on his Masters degree, he instilled in her a love and appreciation for conservative talk radio which spawned many conversations on multiple topics: philosophy, history and current events. Here are some further thoughts from this same daughter: "Because you always listened to me, I knew I had something to say. Because you believed in me, I've always believed in myself. And because you said I could do anything, I was able to accomplish so many wonderful things. Most importantly, because of you, I learned so many things about love, courage, integrity, sacrifice, honesty and trust. You are, and always will be my hero because so much of all the wonderful things in my life started with you. " Thoughts from another daughter: "It is said that we relate to God our Father based in part on our relationship with our earthly father. For me, being my father's daughter strengthened my understanding of God's love for me. Growing up, my dad was my Defender, my help in times of trouble, a Strong Tower. His unconditional love, delight in me, and encouragement to be strong and courageous helped me to trust in God as my gracious Heavenly Father." Thoughts from Paul and Rosa's godchild: "When Desert Storm started, we talked on the phone because I was worried about him having to go and because a friend of mine had to go. Uncle Paul was understanding and comforting and told me everything would be okay. They have always had a very special place in my heart. They both have had wonderful meaningful conversations with me on the phone. I don't know how to put what is in my heart and mind into words - I think just spending time even when they were in Carbondale with them was very special. They always made me feel loved." He is survived by widow Rosa Lee Mae Doherty of San Antonio; daughters Roxanne and Jef Stockdale of Lansdowne PA, Pamela and Paul Louderback of Tulsa OK and Paula Kleine of Conifer, CO; son Paul Doherty Jr. of Orrstown PA; seven grandchildren Jason Stockdale, Chrissy Stockdale, Nicholas Stockdale, Alex Stockdale, Laura Stockdale, Simon Stockdale and Kateri Louderback, two great grandchildren Michael and Ian; numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by seven sisters Winnifred Aunt Winny Vaverchak, Marilyn Aunt Sally Dikeman, Madylin Aunt Skeek Vaverchak, Grace VanSickle, Ona Aunt Toots and Karen Batten; three brothers Gerald Jerry Doherty, Richard Rich Doherty and Charles Chuck Doherty. He is preceded in death by parents Charles and Ona; sisters Jean, Joan, Agnes and Maureen; and brothers Patrick, John, Joseph, James, William and Michael. The funeral service will be Monday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. at Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway, San Antonio TX 78258. Viewing will be Sunday, June 12 from 5-8 p.m. at Oak Hills Mortuary, 8332 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio TX 78229. Interment will be with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a future date TBA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either: Trinity Broadcasting Network, P. O. Box A, Santa Ana, CA 92711 or Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL, 35210 to help spread the Gospel.

Tributes

Paul T. Doherty

July 11, 1940 - May 10, 2016