Dr. Raymond James Doherty

Dr. Raymond James Doherty passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, October 25 at age 99. He was born on February 22, 1926 in Gary, Indiana to Amelia (Peters) and Patrick Doherty of Donegal, Ireland. He was the youngest of six children. He enlisted in the US Navy immediately upon his HS graduation and served as a naval corpsman in WWII. He often referred to his time in the Navy as the “great adventure“ of his life and he remained an active reserve member for more than 20 years, eventually gaining the rank of Lt. Commander.

Inspired by his experience as a corpsman, he used the GI Bill to attend college and medical school, graduating from Indiana University Medical School in 1953.

He started a practice in Merrillville, Indiana specializing in Family Medicine and was a small town doctor for 50 years. He was lucky enough to catch the eye of Donna Halsted, a young nurse in his office and they married in 1961. They raised their 4 children in Merrillville. Ray was a leader in local civic and community organizations, serving on the local school board and as the team doctor for the local youth sports leagues. He was a life-long Democrat and was active in politics right up to the end, attending the most recent No Kings rally in Sarasota on October 18. Breakfast outings with the ROMEOS (“Retired Old Men Eating Out”) were a weekly highlight for Ray, and he looked forward to their political and philosophical discussions. He also adored the Wednesday dinners he and Donna maintained for a decade with family in the Sarasota area. He also loved classical music, history, stamp and autograph collecting, and playing Rummikub with his many friends at The Landings.

He was sadly predeceased by his sons Patrick and Daniel, but is survived by Donna, his wife of 63 years, his daughter Robin Kohler of Sarasota, his daughter Susan Doherty and son-in-law Jim Cotins of New York City, 5 grandchildren (Kevin, Riley, Kathleen Ciaran and Amelia), his stalwart brother-in-law Mike Halsted,and loving sisters -in-law Sue, Marilyn and Janet.

He will be buried with military honors at the Sarasota National Cemetery. A funeral mass at St. Thomas More will be held for immediate family and a larger memorial service is being planned for February 22, 2026 which would have been his 100th birthday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Sarasota All Faiths Food Bank in Ray’s honor. (https://allfaithsfoodbank.org/donate/?form=donate)