John Clifford Dougherty III

Funeral Services for Mr. John Clifford Dougherty III, age 77, of Jefferson, TX., will be held on Wednesday, July 29 at 2:00 pm at the Cpt. Wm. Perry Chapel of Haggard Funeral Home.  A, come-and-go, time of Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 28 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Cpt. Wm. Perry Chapel of Haggard Funeral Home in Jefferson, Texas.  Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and State guidelines, we want to remind everyone to practice proper safety and social distancing.

John was born August 5, 1942 in Shreveport, Louisiana to John C. and Helen Dougherty Jr.  He passed away peacefully on July 20, 2020 at his home.

During John’s youth, he and his family had traveled half way around the world while his father was serving in the US Army Air Corp later to become the US Air Force, stationed and living in exciting places, to include Alaska & Germany (John had the Lederhosen to prove it!), John has told of the many fond memories he had of his travels.

While in high school at the age of 18, John had found the love of his life and mentioned to his friends “this is the woman I’m going to marry”.  After high school, he did indeed marry the love of his life, Janelle Lynn Bonnette, on January 12, 1962, in Shreveport.  He was a committed and loyal husband of 58 years of marriage and a caring and loving father. The couple raised three children in Everman, Texas.

He was a dedicated and skilled machinist at Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth and retired from there after 38 years of service.

John had many interests; but was most proud of having been a 45-year mason and was very active in his lodge and church.

Masonic History

Deer Creek Lodge 510 – Everman, Texas

Enter Apprentice (EA) - 11/18/1974

Fellowcraft (FC) - 01/07/1975

Master Mason (MM) - 02/04/1975

Affiliated Sunrise-Daylight Lodge 1433 – Fort Worth, Texas - 12/09/1975

Affiliated Hurst Lodge 1387 – Hurst, Texas - 06/04/2002

Jefferson Lodge 38 – Jefferson, Texas - 04/04/2005

Worshipful Master - 2013/2014

Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M. – Waco, Texas

District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) District 5 – 2019-2020

Cumberland Presbyterian Church Elder History

John actively served as an elder for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Jefferson since 2012.  In addition to his role as an elder, John served during those years as an elder delegate for Trinity Presbytery most every time the presbytery met.  He had also served more than once as an elder commissioner for Mission Synod, representing his presbytery.  John also served as an elder commissioner for the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church from 2013 until his passing.  He also served on Trinity Presbytery’s Committee on Probationers, helping with the guidance and discernment of Ministerial Candidates.

John had a zest for life, he was loyal, and loved fiercely. He always had a smile and hug for everyone. He was extremely proud of his family and took every opportunity to brag on them.

He is survived by his wife, of 58 years Janelle Lynn, three children: son, Michael Dougherty; daughter, Lora Dougherty; son, Joseph Dougherty and wife Jessica; grandchildren, Jonathan Forbes, Lindsey Moles and husband Beau, Michael Dougherty II, Brenna Dougherty, Angel Dougherty, Joshua Dougherty and Connor Dougherty. Also surviving is his sister, Patricia Tolar and husband James Tolar of Haughton, LA.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Loran McKerley, Kendall McKerley, Paul Coleman, Jon Marc Morris, Jonathan Forbes and James Tolar. Services are entrusted to Haggard Funeral Home. Officiating Pastor Joel Hicks.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorials be made in care of - Jefferson Masonic Lodge #38, P.O. Box 483, Jefferson Texas 75657.

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