Joie Gene Dougherty

Joie Gene Dougherty Sr. (November 27, 1945 – June 19, 2025)

Joie Gene Dougherty Sr. passed away on June 19, 2025, at the age of 79 due to complications from heart failure.

Joie was born on November 27, 1945, in Montebello, California, to Joe and Fern (Sell) Dougherty. He was the middle child, with an older brother, Fred Dougherty, and a younger sister, Peggy (Dougherty) Heidrich. The three remained close throughout their lives—whether near or far, they gathered often and spoke regularly, sharing their love of family, old movies, and lovingly debating everything in between.

Growing up in Southern California, Joie loved spending time outdoors. He developed a passion for landscaping, animals, and baseball. He met his future wife, Barbara, at the age of 11 when they lived on the same street. Their first meeting was unforgettable—he accidentally ran her over with his bicycle because she refused to move. From that moment, he knew he had met his match in stubbornness.

During this time, Joie also developed a love for music. He would spend hours singing with friends, one of whom later released the song "Surfer Joe"—inspired by Joie, despite him never setting foot on a surfboard.

Two pivotal events shaped Joie’s life: serving in the U.S. Army and accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior. Never one to shy away from hard work (except for that one half-shift as a garbage man), Joie primarily worked as a cook and later as a residential painter. He eventually started his own painting company, earning a stellar reputation for outstanding service and meticulous attention to detail.

Every home Joie lived in had one constant: a beautiful yard. One of his greatest joys was transforming neglected yards into vibrant landscapes. Saturdays were reserved for yard work, where he instilled a strong work ethic in his children. In 1979, he was honored with the “Best of State” award in Utah for his landscaping efforts.

Joie had a unique way of finding joy in the little things. He invented the "Me Game" for his family—counting moving trucks on road trips as his personal way of gauging the economy between states. In his later years, he enjoyed sitting in his driveway counting airplanes overhead, keeping track of busy travel days. His personality was larger than life, and he made friends in the most unexpected ways. With Joie, what you saw was what you got—never pretentious, always present.

In his retirement, Joie found comfort in simple pleasures: watching Gunsmoke, The Price Is Right, and Hallmark movies. He could usually be found in his garage or on the porch, surrounded by the love of his wife of 53 years, Barbara, along with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Guests were always welcomed with a cheerful “What up, Dawg?” and sent off with a signature “See ya!” (pronounced “Sight!”). The grandchildren knew every visit meant candy from Grandpa.

Joie had a deep appreciation for those who served others. He left candy for the mail carrier, drinks for the garbage collector, and handwritten thank-you notes for the landscaper.

Joie was preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara, his parents Joe and Fern, and his siblings Fred and Peggy.

He is survived by his children: Julie (Jeff) Potter, Kathleen (Greg) Wells, Betty (Ken) Cox, Joie (Carey) Dougherty, Tim (Cheryl) Dougherty, and Michael (Shalene) Dougherty.

Grandchildren: Melissa, Branden, Shaun, Ruby, Maeson, James, David, James, Lucas, Justin, and Trevor.

Great-grandchildren: Michael, Makayla, Mateo, and Maggi.