Benjamin Gaither Daugherty, Jr., 91, died at 7 am Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014 at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. He was born to the late Benjamin G., Sr. and Bertie Mae Stoker Daugherty April 24, 1922 at Matthews, MO and he grew up on a farm in rural Matthews. He attended Crowe School and then transferred to the Matthews School and graduated from Matthews High School in 1941. He went to Memphis and attended Draughons Business School and was employed by Quaker Oats Co. until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1942. He was assigned to the United States Naval Station in Millington, TN. He was transferred to the U.S. Naval Station in Rhode Island and joined the Ship Company to serve on CV31 Bon Homme Richard Air Craft Carrier. He served 41 months in the Navy, 12 months of which were at sea aboard the Aircraft Carrier. He served under Admiral "Bull" Halsey in the 3rd Fleet and was less than 50 miles from Japan when they surrendered to the United States. He returned home and worked again for Quaker Oats Co. in Memphis; then was employed by Simpson Oil Co. in Charleston, MO for 16 years. Sinclair Refining Co. purchased Simpson Oil in 1952. Gaither retired as a Distributor Representative from Sinclair Refining Co. out of Salt Lake City, Utah in 1986. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, American Legion and the Eagles Lodge of Sikeston. On May 16, 1947 he married Mary Ethel Moore and they celebrated 66 years of marriage. To this union one son, Benjamin Gaither, III was born. He is survived by his wife Mary of the home, one son and daughter-in-law, Gaither III and Peggy Jo Daugherty of Collierville, TN. Two grandchildren Benjamin (Heather) Daugherty of Whiteville, TN and Whitney Daugherty of Collierville and two nieces and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, 1 sister and a grandson, Matthew Burnette Daugherty. Visitation will be Tuesday Feb. 18 at Blanchard Funeral Chapel from 12 noon until time for services at 2:00 pm. with his son Gaither III officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Pallbearers will be Ben Daugherty, Jack Lopp, Dick Inman, David Page, David Smith and Allen Blanton. Online condolences may be shared with the family at blanchardfuneral.com.
The family requests that memorials be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Hospital.