Published obituary
Clark Dougherty passed away peacefully on February 14, 2015 with his family by his side to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Clark was born in New Eagle, Pennsylvania to Clifford Clark Dougherty Sr. and Sarah Jessie McChain Dougherty. Clark’s father was employed by HJ Heinz Company.
Clark spent his early years in Monongahela and Rochester, PA and Toledo, OH. When Clark was 15 years old, his father was transferred by Heinz to Oklahoma City. He graduated from Classen High School in 1953. He attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1958 with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He worked as a chemical engineer for BS&B. In 1963, Clark made a decision to study law, beginning at OU Law School. He then transferred and graduated from OCU Law School in 1966 so that he could work full-time to support his family while attending the OCU night program. He began his law career as a patent attorney for BS&B at its corporate offices in Kansas City. In 1968, Clark returned to Oklahoma City and joined Jerry Dunlap and Bill Laney to form what ultimately became Laney, Dougherty, Hessin, and Beavers, a boutique IP law firm, in downtown Oklahoma City. Clark’s son Cliff subsequently joined the firm. In 1998, the firm (Dougherty, Hessin at that time) joined and became the Intellectual Property Group of McAfee & Taft Law Firm, where Clark continued to practice until his retirement in 2005. Clark was an outstanding lawyer and mentor within the firm and he was loved by his clients. He and Cliff were able to practice together for 20 years.
At OU, Clark received academic accolades and was a member of LKOT in the school of engineering, along with various honor societies. He was very active in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity where he made many lifelong friends and served as President his senior year. He married Anne Kinzer Brown in 1957. He continued to be active in both the Oklahoma and American Bar Associations and other community organizations. He belonged to New Covenant United Methodist Church in Edmond.
Clark was a very loving, generous husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife Anne Dougherty; his four children Ginny Bonner and her husband Dana Bonner, Cliff Dougherty and his wife Kelly Dougherty, Susanne Dougherty and Robert Dougherty; his six grandchildren Kristin Bohanan and her husband Tyson Bohanan, Cailey Dougherty, Carly Dougherty, Ben Dougherty, Carolyn Dougherty, and Claire Dougherty; his brother James Dougherty and his wife Edith Dougherty; and his sister Patty MacGuigan; his sister-in-law Sally North; and his dog Hannah. He was loved by many nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends. His gentle spirit and understanding nature will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 18th at New Covenant United Methodist Church, 2700 S Boulevard., Edmond 73013 at 2:00 pm. The family suggest donations in lieu of flowers in Clark’s honor to New Covenant United Methodist Church, 2700 S Boulevard, Edmond, OK 73013, the Hope Center of Edmond, 1251 North Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or City Rescue Mission, 800 W. California, Oklahoma City, 73106. These organizations support causes that were close to Clark’s heart.