BYRON DAUGHERTY

SPRINGFIELD- Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home for Byron Daugherty, 85, Springfield, who died Saturday, May 6, 2017, following a short illness. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

Donations may be made to the Daugherty Family Memorial Fund at the Lamar United Methodist Church, 900 Poplar St., Lamar, MO 64759.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Eric Hatch; a granddaughter, Erin Hatch; a brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Pat Daugherty and 13 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Marilyn and two sisters, Peggy Haines and Linda Daugherty.

Mr. Daugherty was born August 16, 1931, to Clay and Marcella Daugherty. His long life was filled with generosity, curiosity, humor and service to others. His deep Christian faith led him to teach Sunday school and serve as Elder and Deacon at churches, including Colonial Presbyterian in Kansas City, National Presbyterian in Washington, D.C. and First & Calvary in Springfield.

He held a Bachelor's degree from Missouri State University, where he played on the varsity golf team and Masters degrees from the University of Illinois, University of Missouri at Kansas City and Indiana University. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years and went on to a federal government career at the Defense Mapping Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

He was a loving and devoted caregiver, son, brother, father and friend – and above all else, cherished his granddaughter Erin. He rejoiced in the talents and success of others, loving nothing better than news of two generations of nieces and nephews.

A lifelong learner, Google seemed to have been invented for him, inspiring him to explore and share a world of topics, large and small. Another passion was playing, watching and talking sports, especially Missouri State Bears basketball. He fell in love with golf as a teenager and joyfully chased small white balls across beautiful green landscapes for most of the rest of his life. His constant compassion for those in need and unwavering desire for social justice and equality defined his spirit and set a high standard for those left behind.