GILBERT, Ariz. – Don, our loving son, brother, uncle, father, and friend, is running, dancing, and embracing love and freedom. Don passed from this life on the evening of October 20, 2021, surrounded in love by family and friends. Don was born on May 30, 1952, to Darlene and Harry Daugherty in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Once considered one of the best athletes to come out of Goshen County, Don accomplished such great accomplishments as all-conference, all-state in football, all-state in basketball in Huntley, Wyoming. Don was a member of the Nebraska State Legion Baseball Championship team and team captain of Eastern Wyoming and Chadron State Basketball teams. Don also played Fast-pitch softball on a state championship team, and played in the National Fast-Pitch Tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Don attended Eastern Wyoming College, Chadron State College, and University of Nebraska at Kearney while earning his Degree in Teaching and Physical Education.
Don loved coaching, and coached in Nebraska, Wyoming, and California, earning him the Coach of the Year award three times. His teams won many conference, district and regional tournaments and participated in state and national tournaments.
Despite being in an auto accident which paralyzed him in May of 1980, he continued coaching for 16 years at both high school and college levels. After retiring from coaching, Don took on the position of Education Director for Nevada Women’s Prison where he was awarded Employee of the Year. Since that time, he held positions as a consultant for the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, Office Management in Construction in Las Vegas, a Steel Company in Salt Lake, and worked as a Manager in Human Resources in Phoenix, Arizona.
Don has lived in the Gilbert, Arizona area for the past 14 years. While in Arizona, Don was instrumental and dedicated in the care of his mother Darlene for 18 years, until her passing in 2019.
Despite his physical challenges and ongoing pain, Don lived with a passion for life, the things he loved, and a smile on his face..
Don is survived by his daughter Brittany, brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Christie Daugherty of Herriman, Utah, five nieces and nephews, Aaron and Carrie Daugherty of Herriman, Angela Shino of Herriman, Blaise Daugherty of Cedar City, Utah, Breckan Daugherty of Herriman, and four great nieces and nephews, Emma Daugherty of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Megan Daugherty of Aurora, Illinios and Connor and Colton Shino of White Rock, New Mexico.
He is preceded in death by his father, Harry; mother, Darlene; brothers, Tom and Randy; and son, Jason.
A celebration of life visitation will be held at the residence of Don in Gilbert on Sunday, November 14, 2021 beginning at 12 p.m.
Address: 3364 E Hopkins Avenue, Gilbert, AZ 85295
For more information, contact Jerry at 702-491-5250 or jdofjd@gmail.com.
