David Lee Daugherty

David Lee Daugherty, a unique man and a blessing to all who knew him. He was born in Kirksville Mo. on November 6, 1947 and left our world on Saturday, March 7, 2020, after a valiant battle with brain cancer. David served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1968 through 1970. While in the Navy, David was stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam aboard the US Naval Ship the USS Saratoga. After his service was complete, he earned his B.A. in Accounting at Florida State University in 1973. He worked in corporate America for some years and eventually formed his own company, The Daugherty Group, specializing in Executive Coaching and Consulting. David was highly intelligent and intuitive, a rare combination. He was passionate about his business, his clients who became his friends. His mission was to create cultures and work environments that encouraged people to reach inside themselves to get to the next level. His innate ability to understand and integrate business objectives, leadership and interpersonal behaviors was his calling card. He pushed himself to reach those same standards…a bit of a perfectionist!

David was a charismatic, selfless soul and made time for anyone in need. Never too busy to stop, listen and offer encouragement; many times converting perceived obstacles into opportunities. He found the uniqueness in all that crossed his path. His depth of compassion and empathy was without bounds. As described by his mother, “David was her never a dull moment son”! He loved the outdoors, water skiing as a kid himself, and fishing, white-water rafting, camping and mountain hiking with his family. His hobbies included photography, painting, sketching and was a heck of a dancer, he did a mean Twist!! He loved spending time doing for and with his kids, from making gingerbread houses in elementary school, coaching soccer and being on the road for volleyball tournaments in middle school to talking to the high school History class about his experiences in Vietnam.

David was a soulmate to his wife, a "loving father and guiding light" to his kids, and an intensely devoted to all his family. He was on the phone ever day chatting with either his kids; his dad or his brothers - always staying connected.

He leaves behind his wife, Blanca Flores Daugherty; son Sean (Kelly) grandson Dustin McGuire; daughter Gabriela Daugherty; brothers Terry Daugherty (Grace); John Daugherty (Sue); Chuck Daugherty (Diana), his brothers in law, Carlos Flores and Armando Flores (Irma), and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

On David’s way to meet the Lord, he was joined by his father, Charlie Daugherty, who passed away on March 8, 2020, (the day after) in Bluffton, South Carolina. Together, arm in arm, they went to heaven to be with Margie Daugherty, Charlie’s wife and David’s mother who preceded them in death along with his mother in law, Maria E. Flores.

A quote from a friend, “David was a guiding light in this world and touched and often transformed those with whom he came into contact. I grieve his passing and celebrate his life.”

David was an enormous presence, the pain of his absence transcends words. In our hearts we will hold his beautiful, ready smile and enveloping bear hugs…and we will smile.