Donald Dean Doty

Donald Dean Doty was born September 3rd, 1933 in Waterloo, Iowa to Myron Lahr and Eva Mae (McCoy) Doty. He spent his childhood there on Englewood Drive and shortly after graduating from West High School in 1951, enlisted in the Marines. He went to San Diego for basic training but got a medical discharge for a heart murmur. He returned to Waterloo and continued his courtship of Lorraine Bjorklund, after they met on a blind date before he left for California. They married the following May and soon had 4 children.

Don worked for W.R. Grace and then Sunray DX Oil Company, transferring the family to Tulsa in 1968 when they became Sunoco. Family was important to them, with Don working two jobs so Lorraine could stay home with the children. They went to Good Shepherd Lutheran, Ascension Lutheran and during their final years, joined Kirk of the Hills where they made many friends and enjoyed worshiping God together.

Don lived in Tulsa where they raised their children. He loved to look at cars and houses, working briefly as a real estate agent. He was handy with home repairs. His favorite birthday dessert was German chocolate cake.

Don and Lorraine were married for 68 years, with Lorraine passing away in 2021. Don did not want to go on without her and we believe they are back together again in heaven.

Don is survived by a sister Louise Starkey in Waterloo. He is also survived by his children Michael (Johnnie), Steve (Anne), Rodney (Darlene) and Debra Basore (William). He has five grandchildren, James Doty (Rachel), Jessica Basore Gold (Matthew), Lauren Doty (Jared), Mackenzie Doty Jentsch (Brandon) and Tyler Basore (Katie). He is survived by three great-grandchildren Marshall Gold, Everly Gold and Melody Blohm.