Death of a ClassMate - Captain John E. (Jack) Dougherty Jr. USNR(Ret) - 1st Co.

 Captain John E. (Jack) Dougherty Jr. USNR(Ret) died after a long illness in Aldie, Va., on 15 September 2017. He was 85.

A native of Philadelphia, "Jack" attended Bullis Preparatory School before receiving his Congressional appointment to the Academy from Pennsylvania. He was in the 1st Company and lived in the First Wing of Bancroft Hall.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned an Ensign USN and served on Saufley (DD 465) based in Key West, Florida. He attended submarine school in New London, Connecticut before being assigned to the Tirante (SS-420).  He then was assigned to BUPERS. He resigned his active duty commission in 1961 and transferred to the Naval Reserve. He served in numerous leadership positions in the Naval Reserve and retired with the rank of Captain USNR in 1978.   While serving in the reserve, he also earned his Master's Degree in Education from George Washington University in 1968.

  

From 1972-87, Jack designed and managed national programs of the Naval Recruiting Command working from the Navy Annex in Arlington, Virginia. At the time of his retirement in 1987, he was Director of Education Liaison and Youth Programs and was presented with the CNO Award for Superior Civilian Service.

After retirement, Jack traveled extensively throughout the United States and visited all 50 states and Puerto Rico.   He also travelled to Europe several times and visited France, Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and The Netherlands.  Jack focused his attention on his 16 grandchildren and extended family.  He attended most of their sporting and school events and was a longtime official with the Northern Virginia Swimming League and with US Swimming. He also enjoyed meeting and spending time with his 11 great-grandchildren.  Jack is survived by his wife of 63 years, the former Sally Stevenson Irvin of Arlington, VA. They were married on June 8, 1954 in Arlington, Virginia, four days after graduation from the Academy.

 

Jack is survived by his brother Joel, children John E. Dougherty III, Lauren Rowe, Linda (Bruce) Nielson, Lori (William) Askin, and preceded in death by son Don Jesse.  A memorial service was held on Sept. 23 2017 at St. Matthews United Methodist Church, Annandale, Virginia. Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.