DOTY, John Paul, 59, of Wheeling, died Wednesday, January 7, 2009 in Wheeling Hospital.
John was born January 22, 1949 in Wheeling, a son of the late James L. Doty, Sr. and Betty L. Harris Doty.
John was a retired fireman and paramedic for the Wheeling Fire Department, with 21 years of service; owner of the former Doty Painting Co.; a former employee of Sandcrest and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wheeling; and a member of Elm Grove United Methodist Church and the West Virginia Snakes Club, Wheeling. In addition, he was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in the Vietnam War.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Lucinda “Cindy” Spangler Doty in 1996; a brother, Randy Doty; and a brother-in-law, Ron Meyer.
John is survived by his son, Evan M. Doty of Wheeling; his former wife, Keena Shaw; two step-daughters, Amber LaMasters and Crystal Gill; four brothers, James “Jim” Doty, Jr. and his wife, Marla of Martins Ferry, Ohio, David “Dave” Doty and his wife, Leeann of Wheeling, Brad Q. Doty of Elm Grove and Patrick “Pat” Doty and his wife, Pam of Wheeling; two sisters, Betty Ann Schafer and her husband Robert and Kathy Meyer, all of Wheeling; two step-grandchildren, Keeley and Trevor LaMasters; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 1-3 and 5-9 pm, Friday at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Elm Grove Chapel, 154 Kruger Street, Wheeling, where funeral services will be held at 11 am, Saturday, January 10, 2009, with the Rev. Bryan Carpenter officiating. Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Elm Grove United Methodist Church, 125 Kruger Street, Wheeling; the Wheeling Fire Department or the ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease Hope Foundation, PO Box 40777, Philadelphia, PA 19147.
Dear Evan,
I am so sorry for your loss of your Dad. John was a great man. He always had a true smile of love and compassion for life. He was a hard worker and would give any one the shirt off his back.
Love, Colleen Christie
I first met John in October of 1976. I was in the board room at old headquarters fire station 16th St. & Eoff St. I was working the switchboard and John was getting a tour because he was a new firefighter. When we met that day, we were friends from that point on. We worked 10 years as a paramedic team on the fire department.
John was selfless. He got most of his pleasure from helping and giving to others. John was my best friend. The world is a better place having had him in it.
Although I wanted to be present, I am unable to make it. I love John like a brother.
Rest in peace. Your brother in Christ. Leroy
I knew John Doty as well as anyone, having worked every shift with him on the Wheeling Fire Dept. for close to 6 years. He was dedicated,hard working, compasionate, funny, kind, skilled, proud,professional,strong, and I condidered him a true friend. He taught me so much about character and confidence, if there is a paramedic Hall of Fame he should be included. He treated everyone with respect,and made people happy just to be around him. He was unbelievable calm even on the worst of calls,never getting upset or treating anyone unprofessionally. When we first became partners, everyone in the local ER’s smiled and gave him hugs when he came in. He always introduced me and made me feel comfortable meeting DR’s and nurses. He was a brave firefighter, never hesitating to be the first one in the door. He loved his family. Evan was his joy. He dedicated his live to him. He always talked about his brothers and sisters, and gave, much love to them. John could do anything, he was always helping others. He made my days working with him easy. He was a credit to the Wheeling Fire Dept. He was a wonderful father. A dedicated and loving husband. A true friend to anyone in need. I will miss him and I know he will forever stay in my memory as a man who lived life to its fullest. May we meet again someday. Mike Hudimac
I was very saddened to hear of John’s passing. John was like a brother to me. We worked together at the Fire Dept, I painted with him, we ran together, golfed, and spent time with each other. I will truly miss him and his family will be in my prayers.
Jim and Marla:
Paul and I are so sorry to hear of your brothers passing.
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Love, Prayers and Peace –
Paul and Shirley
John was a wonderful man – kind, thoughtful, funny, warm, dependable, and dedicated. Whenever he rolled into the ER with a patient, he could always bring a smile to everyone’s face with his upbeat attitude, friendliness, and humor. I had the honor of helping to train John to be a paramedic. His first clinical didn’t go well and he was so worried he couldn’t do it. Not only did he do it, he excelled at it. My heartfelt sympathy to Evan and all of John’s family. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
John was my best friend in the Navy. When he and Cindy were engaged we hauled the cedar chest he bought for her in my ’67 GTO. For several years after we left the Navy, our families visited each year. Unfortunately, miles between us and busy lifestyles got between those visits. Recently, I tried to call him because I wanted to visit. When I couldn’t contact him via the numbers I had, I looked further. I didn’t know until today that my friend had passed away. John was one of the best people I have ever known. I look forward to the day when we will visit again.
Freddie Wells, Hopkinsville, KY August 14, 2010
Knowing and working with John was a real pleasure. He had a charm about him that spilled over onto everyone. He was well liked and respected at both Hospitals that he worked with through his 21 years as a Paramedic/Emt. He was great with “one liners ” and could make you laugh all day. He was a good cook at the fire station and could also bake one hell of an apple or cherry pie. My sincere condolances to the entire family. John, I will miss you dearly.. I hope you are in Gods hands and playing all the golf that you want. Tee um high and let um fly.
Thomas John
Wheeling Fire Dept. Retired
My deepest sympathy to the Doty family. Our family has known the Doty family for years and John will be missed.
My sympathy to all of John’s family. My heart hurts along with yours. I love John very much and will be eternally grateful to him for introducing me to Leroy; if he hadn’t, Leroy and I may have never met and wouldn’t have spent the last 23 years together.
John was always so happy and positive and just took everything in stride. I never heard him speak badly of anyone. He had a heart bigger than this universe!
I remember how excited he was when we bought him a marble rolling pin for Christmas a few years ago go figure!. He DID make the best crumb apple pie ever, and we got the first pie he made using it.
Leroy and I are surely going to miss him.
I pray that the Lord will bless all of you and comfort you during this difficult time.
Evan: we love you and our door is always open for you.
My sympathy to Evan.
Rosemary Front
Some of the fondest memories of my life are of you my friend. For the better part of two years we served on the JFK togeather. It’s probably no secret to those who went through that experience that I always arranged the watch list so that you and I stood those DC Central watches togeather. Your stories and plans of your life with Cindy and your unfailing humor got us both throught the drudgery and boring task of watching those four stinking pressure gauges hour after hour. Not long I am sure we will all see each other again my friend, when at some appointed time all our immortal souls will be drawn back to the JFK where one need only to dial 057 on the phone to speak to the closest friends they ever had.
This circle of life can be very sad sometimes. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Jolene
To Evan and John’s family you have my condolences. He was dedicated to his family, the WFD, and the many people he served in the community. John meant so much to me as a friend and coworker at the Wheeling Fire Dept. He had the respect of everyone he came in contact with. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with John on fires and emergencies. He was a joy to spend those 24 hours in the firehouse with and often shared with us his awesome pies. Several of us put a plaque in the e-car “19 years and still smiling” and I think that sums it up.
To the family of John-
There are few words that can express my sorrow for all of you. John had a unique ability to reach out to people on a personal level. I was fortunate enough to know John as a colleague while working at EMSTAR and always admired his dedication to his job. John truly loved people and it was so evident in his care of patients. His special touch of cooking was always a good conversation piece, especially his famous lemon meringue pie!!
May you find comfort in knowing that John touched many lives and now is at rest in his heavenly “fire station”.
To the family of Mr. Doty. I was saddened to read of John’s passing.
I remember him as a very sincere, caring man, not only as an EMT he responded to many Ambulance calls for my Mom during her several years of illness before passing, he was always comforting in his words and had a calming voice when explaining what it was that was going on with my Mom during her medical emergencies. In the mid 80’s his brother Randy and John painted the exterior of our home. They were both good workers and just great guys. May he rest in Peace with Randy and his other family members that greeted him in Heaven. Cherish his memory and may God be with all of you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Jan Donley
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Leroy and Betsy called. They knew we were out of the country and didn’t know until this morning. I called John Sunday 1/4 and told him we’d be gone and would be thinking of him. He may have gotten weak on the outside but he was one of the strongest persons on the inside I know. We will surly miss him, but I’m glad his suffering is over. We will see him again someday. God bless you all.
We are so sorry to learn of John’s passing. We are so thankful that he was able to be the one to walk our daughter-in-law, Crystal Gill, down the aisle on her wedding day. It meant so much to Crystal. Although we did not know John well, he was always so nice to us. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s family.