Obituary of Gary Lee Doty

Gary Lee Doty passed away peacefully from Basal Cell cancer on January 27, 2023, at home with wife Beatrice and son Jeff by his side. He was born to Samuel and Norma Doty on February 16, 1941, in Lewiston, Idaho. Raised in Potlatch, Idaho, Gary graduated from Potlach High School, valedictorian of the class of 1959. He then entered the University of Idaho under the ROTC program. In 1963 Gary graduated with a BS in Chemistry and entered the Air force as a Second Lieutenant. He was sent to the University of Utah where he received BS in Meteorology in 1964. His first weather assignment was to Rhein-Main AFB in Germany where he met his future wife Beatrice Elizabeth Beeson. They married in December of 1965.

Gary’s 23 years of military service included a tour in Vietnam, an MBA from Troy State University, PhD coursework in Quantitative Analysis, multiple commander assignments including Kadena AFB, Okinawa, and multiple military decorations prior to his retirement as Lt. Colonel in 1986. Following his first retirement, Gary continued to share his knowledge and proven leadership skills at Boeing managing engineering and preflight testing programs. He retired for a second, and final time, in 2011.

Outside of his career Gary was an avid runner competing in marathons for decades. Later when running was no longer possible he and wife Bea became avid walkers, racking up enough mileage to effectively walk first across the united states and then around the world. He was active in the Catholic Church serving as Parish Council President (Okinawa), Finance Chairman, and Lecture & Eucharistic Minister (All Saints). Gary loved planting beautiful trees and plants around his home and giving them as gifts.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years Beatrice, son Jeff (Liisa) Doty, daughter Suzanne (Tim) Plante; grandchildren Mason & Elizabeth Doty, Sam, Mary, TJ & Kolbe Plante; greatgrandchild Ruby Plante; siblings Barbara Doty, Cheryl (Lee) Kopf, Darlene (John) Smith, Randy (Michelle) Doty; cherished nieces and nephews & extended family; friends & neighbors whose lives he touched.

Viewing:10:30AM   All Saints Catholic Church 503 3rd St SW, Puyallup WA 98371 
Service:11AM         All Saints Catholic Church (Reception following at 39ers room across the street). 
Interment: 2PM:     Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery, 37600 Pacific Highway S. Federal Way, WA 98371