Jan "Doc" Dockery

Jan Theodore Dockery, known to all as “Doc,” was born March 2, 1954 in Monrovia, California to Theodore Ellsworth and Anna Catherine Muther. In 1957, the family moved from the Southern California smog to booming Las Vegas, Nevada. Ted and Ann bought a house on Magnet Street down from Wimpy’s drive-in that Ann stayed in until 2006. Doc attended Lincoln Elementary School, Jim Bridger Middle School, and Rancho High School.

Doc married Brenda Diltz in 1972 and together they had one daughter, Lisa. While both went on to happily remarry, they were able to become friends again many years later, and that friendship continued until Doc’s death.

Doc met Nancy Cole when she was a checker at Lucky’s grocery store due in large part to his adorable daughter Lisa. Doc and Nancy married at Mahogany Grove Campground in Mount Charleston in September 1980 and celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary just prior to Nancy’s sudden passing in November 2021. Together, they had one daughter, Stacy.

Doc was hired at Central Telephone Nevada (Centel as he continued to call it, no matter how many times the company changed names over the years) in 1972. He held many positions from repairman, to installer, to working in the warehouse, to finally a frameperson working in numerous switching offices (honestly probably every office in town at some point) over his long tenure with the company. He retired from CenturyLink in 2018 after over 45 years of service.

Not long after retirement, Doc became extremely ill and spent 6 months in the hospital and several rehabilitation centers. He was never the same. With over 20 hospital admissions over the next 4+ years, his chronic conditions overran his life. After the unexpected death of his bride, he was lost and his heart was forever broken. On that cold day in December, he was finally able to see her again.

Doc loved his family and worked hard to provide a good life for his wife and girls. He was a Pittsburgh Steelers fanatic and often joked that he bled black and gold. He even took his Jack Lambert statue and Terrible Towel on his honeymoon because the Steelers were playing on Monday Night Football. He lived in Steelers, UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, Palo Verde Panthers, or San Diego/Mission Beach gear almost daily. He loved family vacations to San Diego, staying on the beach, riding his beach cruiser on the boardwalk, and renting wave runners in the bay. He loved music and going to concerts. He enjoyed bragging on his grandkids and loved telling stories to anyone who would listen (sometimes 10+ times!). His quick wit, ornery nature, and loving support will always be missed.

Doc is survived by his daughters Lisa Chao (Paul) and Stacy Pokorny (Matthew), grandchildren Jalyn Chao, Cameron Chao, Luke Pokorny, and Ryann Pokorny, sister Leilani Gordon, brother Lynn Dockery, nephews Ian & Jared Gordon, niece Ameena Gordon, numerous extended family members and friends, and his beloved Golden Retriever Lucy. He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife Nancy, parents Ted & Ann Dockery, and loving Uncle Ed and Auntie Bea Hafner.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Palm Mortuary Cheyenne, 7400 West Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas. Service will be at 11:00am with reception to follow at the same location from 12-2:00 p.m. Please join us in dressing in your favorite black & gold/yellow or Steelers gear to honor Doc & his favorite team.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation in Doc’s name to your favorite charity or to the Coach Phil Clarke Memorial Scholarship fund to support Palo Verde High School student athletes in their college pursuits (https://www.gofundme.com/f/phil-clarke-memorial-scholarship).​

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Dockery family.