Dr. John J. Dougherty

Dr. John J. Dougherty, 90, of Sioux City passed away peacefully with his family by his side Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 3012 Jackson St. Visitation with the family present will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Sunday evening at Blessed Sacrament with a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. Dr. Dougherty's brother, Fr. Denis Dougherty, O.S.B. of Springfield, MO, will officiate.

John was born August 18, 1927, in Sioux City, oldest son of Jesse J. and Helen M. (Chicoine) Dougherty. John grew up on the north side of Sioux City, and graduated from Trinity High School in 1945. Immediately following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving at the end of World War II. After receiving his honorable discharge, he attended Creighton University in Omaha, where he received his undergraduate degree and then continued on to become a physician, graduating from Creighton University Medical School in 1955.

John was in general practice for five years, before deciding to pursue his interest in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI, completing his residency in 1965. His medical career then led him to Omaha, NE where he practiced for four years until returning to his hometown in 1969.

He loved the practice of medicine, taking care of thousands of patients as an orthopedic surgeon for over 30 years in Sioux City. One highlight of his long career was being in the emergency room treating many of the survivors of the Flight 232 airline crash in Sioux City.

John was an outstanding track athlete, and anchor runner of the 1945 State Champion Mile Medley team, the "Four Horsemen" of Trinity High. The team was inducted into the Sioux City Relays Hall of Fame in 2012. He also competed at the college level as a member of the Creighton University track & field team. He stayed active well into his 80's, enjoying biking, golfing, swimming, and walking his dog Jack. He loved the "Fightin' Irish", family vacations in northern Minnesota and at his Lake Okoboji cabin.

On September 5, 1953 John was married to his wife of 64 years, Shiuvaun Murphy, in Omaha. He is survived by his wife, Shiuvaun, and their eight children, Marty (Laurie) Dougherty, of Sioux City, Mary Therese Lennon, of Omaha, Patsy Dougherty, of Omaha, Sheila (Dan) Richter, of Omaha, Diane (Tom) Crowley, of Omaha, Kathleen (Shennen) Saltzman, of Dakota Dunes, Molly (Greg) Eckert, of Omaha, and Ann (Andy) Warren, of West Des Moines; and twenty-seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to Bishop Heelan Catholic High School, or the John J. Dougherty Creighton University Scholarship Fund.