Edward J Doogan

June 10th, 1936 - September 6th, 2023

“Born in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean while my parents were immigrating from Ireland to the US”

— is the story Ed told. He was a grand and sometimes fantastical storyteller. In the more conventional version, he was born to Irish immigrants, Patrick John Doogan and Ellen Daly Doogan, in NYC. He was the middle child of three, with older brother James and younger sister Patricia. For the first part of his childhood, the family lived on Long Island NY. After losing his brother and both parents at an early age, Ed set out for himself at the age of 16.

He received a bachelor's degree in history and economics from Wichita State in 1958. After graduating, he served in the Army from 1960-65, rising to the rank of Captain. Then he continued on with Army Reserves. Returning to school, he earned a master's degree in education from Emporia State University in Kansas.

After traveling in the US, he settled in Arizona, Tucson, and then Oracle. In 1967, as a founding member, he helped create Rancho Linda Vista, a community for the arts, on the historic ranch in Oracle. Ed taught junior high and high school for several years in San Manuel, and was a social worker for four years at Pima County Welfare Dept. He was twice married and twice divorced. First marriage was to Ellie Doogan. His second marriage, In 1970, was to artist Margaret Bailey Doogan. They had one daughter, Moira Doogan.

A love of adobe buildings, aesthetics, and the environment led him to become a general contractor specializing in adobe brick production, sustainable construction, and adobe seminars. He launched multiple businesses: Rio Grande Adobe Company in Santa Fe NM and numerous businesses in Tucson including Southwest Adobe Company (adobe manufacture), Brother Son (general contracting), Ed Doogan Construction (general contracting), Seis (imports/Mexican furnishings), and Tara (architectural supplies). He co-directed, with John Carney, the Alternative Housing Institute, an educational design organization which trained people to design and build their own solar homes. He also served as vice president of Adobe Today magazine.

He had a passion for improving the communities where he lived, serving on boards, and completing various projects including water conservation efforts, and tree planting projects. You can still find mesquite trees planted by Ed, in his old south 23rd street neighborhood.

He loved to travel— ancestral Ireland, Europe—Mexico and Spain being two of his favorites. Along with his partner, Karen, he participated in language development projects for English learners in Guatemala and Spain.

Ed took refuge with a high lama in Santa Fe in the 70’s. Although not a lifelong practitioner, he lived by the Buddhist tenet “do no harm” and practiced kindness and generosity to others.

Ed was always happy to lend a helping hand to those in need, and he sought out ways to help others. He was a warm, kind and gentle spirit who loved friends and family. As a dear friend said, "He was a brilliant raconteur, cherished co-conspirator, and beloved friend". He loved parties with friends, talking art, poetry, politics. In his own words, not long before departing, Ed said "I am fortunate to have led such a wild and wonderful life, full of love, good friends and family, art and beauty"

Ed is survived by his life partner, Karen Loquvam, his daughter, Moira Doogan, son-in-law Miguel Martinez, sister Patricia Sutcliffe and his large family of friends. Beloved by his friends and family, he will be dearly missed. A memorial is planned for December 2, 2023 in Oracle, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to The Alzheimer's Association or an environmental charity of your choice

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