Ralph Orville Doughty

Ralph Orville Doughty, (82), of Colleyville, Texas, passed away on May 25, 2023. Ralph was born to Samuel and Frances Doughty, on September 21, 1940, in Birmingham, Alabama. He had one older brother, Lawrence Doughty, and one younger brother, Marvin Doughty. Ralph was an intellectual and a musician in high school, serving as the drum major for his high school band. He met his wife, Nanette, while in high school and the two married at the age of 18 on April 4, 1959. Both Ralph and Nanette attended the University of Alabama where Ralph earned a B.S. in 1961, a M.S. in 1965, and a PhD in 1968 in Mechanical Engineering.

During his time in college, Ralph joined the ROTC and began his military education and training and was a distinguished graduate of the program in 1961. He went on to serve on active duty in the Army and was stationed in Germany as a young Lieutenant from September 1962 to May 1964. Upon completion of active duty, Ralph returned to the United States and entered into reserve status. During his time in the Army Reserve, Ralph held a variety of command and staff assignments at the 90th Army Reserve Command in San Antonio, Texas. These positions included Chief of Staff, then Deputy Commander, and finally Commanding General. As he rose in status in the positions he held, he also rose in rank within the Army. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1989 and was then promoted to Major General in March, 1993. General Doughty commanded the Task Force that planned and executed the Army Reserve ceremonies at Utah Beach, France in June 1994 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Normandy invasion in World War II. He also served on the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee at the Pentagon for the Department of the Army for two years. General Doughty retired from service in April 1996.

In addition to his Army responsibilities, Ralph was employed in civilian occupations as well. He had multiple employers over the years, including General Dynamics, which is the job that brought him to Texas in 1968. He also worked at Frito Lay and then at BAE Automated Systems where he was the Vice President of Engineering. He then became President of his own consulting firm, RDC Associates. He was responsible for all aspects of the engineering consulting firm that specialized in the design and execution of advanced material handling and product distributions systems. His final civilian occupation was as the Chair of Interagency and Multinational Studies for the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Ralph retired in August, 2016.

Ralph was a loving husband and father. He traveled the world with his wife, Nanette, and always considered her to be the prettiest girl in any room they entered. His love guided his children through the good times and bad times along with his patience and wise advice. He was an extremely giving man and had a zest for living and making sure those around him were happy. Ralph was a great role model for anyone who had the good fortune to know him. He was a Christian man who loved the Lord. The following poem by Elaine D. Hardt was found in his drawer after his passing:

Every End is A New Beginning

Every end is a new beginning like the chapters in a book,

By faith we reach out expectantly turn the page and take a look.

Each volume has a specific size each complete in our Lord’s sight.

He writes His love in many ways, in sunny days, through darkest nights.

He’s cast us each as our life’s hero, it’s up to us to act the part.

Find the faith to walk rejoicing, sing His goodness in our heart.

Of course we’d sometimes like to linger in pleasant resting places,

But time goes on and comes the challenge of tomorrow’s untried races.

Since we cannot see and do not know the next step He has planned,

Boldly make a new beginning and trust the ending to His hand.

Ralph was definitely the hero in his life’s story and he has now gone home to be with his heavenly Father.

Ralph is survived by his wife Nanette and their two daughters, Cindee Eddins, along with her husband John Eddins, and Kimberly Pitts, along with her husband Joel Pitts. He is also survived by his brother Marvin Doughty, along with his sister-in-law Betty Ann Doughty and his other sister-in-law Jane Doughty. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Frances Doughty and his brother Lawrence Doughty.

Ralph’s family will host a grave-side funeral service on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 9:30a.m. The service will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project or Disabled Veterans (DAV) in honor of Major General (Retired) Ralph O. Doughty.

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