James M. Doherty

James Malcolm Doherty, 72, a native of Austin, Texas, died peacefully May 21, 2012 in Austin with his wife and children surrounding him. A graduate of the University of Texas in 1961 and the University of Texas School of Law in 1963, Jim was a practicing attorney in Austin for nearly 50 years. In 2001, Jim joined the Railroad Commission of Texas as a Hearings Examiner, a position he enjoyed immensely both for the work and the friendships he made.

"Dart,” as he was known to many of his friends, was a favorite golf partner at the Austin Country Club, where he was a member for 30 years, and later at Onion Creek Club, where he could often be found playing with the club's Saturday morning regulars. With his quick, dry wit and understated sense of humor, a good "Dart story" was comedy gold, sure to be told and retold over a round of golf or a round of ice cold beer.

Beyond his love of the law and a good round of golf, Jim was a devoted fan of University of Texas sports. For years, football season was like a 4-month family event, featuring annual trips to the State Fair of Texas and the Cotton Bowl for the Texas-OU rivalry game. Sharp-witted characters like football coach Darrel Royal and basketball coach, Abe Lemons, endeared the University to him even more.

Jim was born November 15, 1939, in Austin to parents Onis Malcolm Doherty and Elisabeth Mae Johnston Doherty. He graduated in 1957 from McCallum High School, as did the girl he would later marry. Jim and Zada Jane Gunter married September 1, 1962 at Saint John’s United Methodist Church in Austin.

James Malcolm Doherty is preceded in death by his parents, Onis Malcolm Doherty and Elisabeth Mae Johnston Doherty.

He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Zada Jane Gunter Doherty, sister Sharon Doherty Rhea and husband Richard, daughter Deborah Doherty Rider and husband Brent, son John Doherty and wife Amy, grandchildren

Addison and Jack, and numerous nephews, nieces and their children.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, on Wednesday, the 23rd of May 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Light refreshments will be provided by the family through Cook-Walden Funeral Home Catering Services.

A Memorial Service will be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 24th of May, at Saint John's United Methodist Church, 2140 Allendale Road, Austin, Texas.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Christopher House, c/o Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, Texas, 78759, the Austin Humane Society, 124 West Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas, 78752 or Saint John’s United Methodist Church, 2140 Allendale Road, Austin, Texas 78756.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.