Stephen R. Doty

ARDEN, NC – Stephen Robert Doty, age 74, of Arden, North Carolina, passed away Saturday, October 17, 2020 while at Mission Hospital in Ashville, North Carolina.   A Graveside Service, with military rites, honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Enon Cemetery, rural Ashmore, Illinois with Pastor Michael Stewart officiating.  Services celebrating his life were held in Arden on Wednesday, October 21, 2020.  Stephen’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor his memory with a charitable gift may donate to the Faith Promise Ministry of Arden Presbyterian Church, 2215 Hendersonville Road, Arden, NC  28704.

Stephen was born in Cisco, Texas, a son of the late James Thaddeus and Helen (Koops) Doty.  He grew up in Clyde, Texas and following high school, Stephen faithfully and proudly served his country with the United States Air Force.  He was a graduate of Texas A & M and like his father worked as a meteorologist.  While his father worked for the National Weather Bureau, Stephen worked for the National Climatic Data Center located in Asheville, North Carolina for more than 30 years, specializing in weather records and history.  Following his retirement his occupation became more of a hobby and he continued to pursue an interest in collecting old antique weather instruments.

Stephen was a man of faith and had been a member of the Arden Presbyterian Church family since 1981.  He was actively involved serving as an Elder and a Deacon.

Stephen married Martha Cox, daughter of the late Marion and Dorothy (Bower) Cox of rural Charleston.  Left to cherish many wonderful memories is Martha, his loving and devoted wife of 52 years; four children, Tony Doty (Rebecca) of Arden, North Carolina, Doug Doty of Mills River, North Carolina, Greg Doty (Leanne) of Dunfermline, Scotland, and Kami Doty of Fletcher, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Renee and Kaitlin Doty; a sister, Terry Covington (Rick) of Cedar Park, Texas; and locally, his sister-in-law, Rayanna Cox and her children Chris and Amanda and their families. Stephen was also preceded in death by a brother, Mark Doty and brother-in-law, Connie Cox.

Stephen will be greatly missed and special memories of him will be forever cherished by his family who were always near and dear to his heart.

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