Funeral services for James Walter Doty, 85, of Albert Lea will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church. The Rev. Todd Walsh will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by area veteran’s organizations. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Jim died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Minneapolis.
James Walter Doty was born on July 28, 1924, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Louis E. and Emma E. (Hauskins) Doty. He was baptized in Sunshine Mission in Cedar Rapids and confirmed in Faith Lutheran Church at Walters. From age 2 years, Jim was raised by his mother and her husband, Russell Haukoos. They lived in the Walters area in several different farmhouses during the Great Depression. Jim attended several country schools completing 8th grade. He worked on many farms until 1942 when he went to work in a shipyard in California. On June 18, 1949, he was united in marriage to Ethel Haugen at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake, Iowa. Jim joined the California State Marine Guards, then, entered the United States Marine Corp. He served as a Marine Paratrooper in Bougainville Island, Philippines, Palau Island, Mariana Island and Iwo Jima. Jim was awarded four battle Bronze Stars and other medals during his service. After serving his country Jim went to work on the Rock Island Railroad in many capacities for 34 years, which caused them to move to many locations before settling in Albert Lea. He then sold AFLAC Insurance for 28 1/2 years. In 1955 he joined Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea where Jim taught 7th grade Sunday school and served as the President of Grace Lutheran Brotherhood. He was also a Scout Master for troop No. 78 in Mazeppa, Gov. of Moose Lodge, a Life Member of the VFW, a past commander of VFW and a member of the American Legion for over 58 years.
Survivors include his wife, Ethel; children: Keith (Patricia Tovo) Doty and children, Allison and Ellen, Jody (Joyce) Doty and daughter, Stephanie, Lorie Kay (Bruce) Senske and children, Jace, Trent and Molly Kay; brothers: Glenn (Elinor) Doty, Bob (Grace) Haukoos, Kenneth (Marilyn) Haukoos, and Leland (Virginia) Doty; sisters: Marie Adkins, Dorothy Rodriguez and Phyllis Doty McIntyre; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Emma and Russell Haukoos and Louis E. and Isabel Doty; and sister, Ruth Haukoos Ballou.