Brigadier General James Henry Doty, Jr.

Brigadier General James (Jim) H. Doty passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, at Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio. He was surrounded by his family as he received his final orders to return to the Lord.

Born in Pittsburgh, Kansas, he was the beloved son of James Doty, Sr. and Mary Owens. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his two daughters, Kandy Doty and Brooke Doty and his grandson, Joshua Mallory, and brother, Merle Doty, and sister, Kandy Doty. He was the oldest of 5 siblings.

From an early age, Jim always wanted to be a soldier. He began that lifelong journey by joining the Army National Guard at the age of 18. Early in his career he went from Kansas to Texas where he met his wife of over 40 years, Charlotte Faye Doty (Carson). It was also here that he met Shawn, Jason, and Chris, the 3 young, rambunctious boys he would raise as his own.

Jim was a graduate of the University of State of New York with a bachelor degree in History. His military education included the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course and the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He also held a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College.

Jim received his commission as a Field Artillery and Engineer Officer. As he worked his way through the ranks, his assignments included platoon leader, 704th Engineer Company; training officer, 95th Division Training, operation officer, 360th Chemical Company; Acting Commander, 704th Engineer Company, Supply Officer, Plans Officer, Operational Officer and Commander, 420th Engineer Brigade; Chief Facility Plans Division, Deputy Chief of Staff, 9th Army Reserve Command, Fort DeRussy, Hawaii; Force Integrator, Operations and Force Development Division, Washington, DC; Chief, System Integration Team, Deputy Chief of Staff Force Development, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson; Chief, Quadrennial Defense Review Team, Office of Strategic Initiatives and Deputy Director, Army Reserve Force Programs Directorate, and Director, Army Reserve Force Programs; Office of Chief, Army Reserve, Washington, DC; Installation Commander, Combat Support Training Center, Installation Management Agency, Camp Parks, CA.

His awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Award with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and Army Staff Identification Badge.

Jim was promoted to brigadier general in 2009, and served as the Senior Commander, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. The pinning of his star was his proudest professional accomplishment.

During his 33-year Army career, Jim and Char, as he called her, saw the U.S. from coast to coast. They were stationed in Texas, Georgia, Virginia, California, Hawaii, and Colorado. One of his final commands at the 420th Engineer Brigade in Bryan, Texas, reunited him with many of his closest friends. He served at the Pentagon 3 separate times, including when it was attacked on 9/11. His final “assignment” in retirement was commanding Chapter 61 of the Disabled American

Veterans in Seguin, Texas. Stories of experiences with the men and women with whom he served were recounted to anyone who would listen. The photos, artifacts, and mementos he collected during his career filled his home. He had an unequaled passion for helping wounded warriors. Everyone will miss bragging about General Jim and his accomplishments, listening to his stories, getting his opinion on any topic imaginable, and receiving his advice or assistance. Jim was a good man with a kind heart, who freely told people how much he loved them and how proud he was of them. He gave his everything for the people he loved. Recent tragedies and hardships left him restless, but he is now at peace.

Left to cherish his memory and uphold his legacy are his wife, Charlotte, son Blake Doty, “his boys” Shawn, Jason, and Chris Mallory, sister Sherrie Jameson, brother Rocky Doty, and grandchildren Makala, Nikolaus, Reece, Aarika, Zachary, and Isabella. There are also many nieces, nephews, and other extended family left with a void. As his family and friends bid him a tear-filled farewell, they take comfort in knowing many loved ones already welcomed him home with a rowdy hail. As his hero stated, “Old soldiers never die - they just fade away.”

A memorial will be held at the Disabled American Veterans facility located at 425 N. Vaughn Avenue in Seguin, Texas, on August 5 at 2 PM. He will be inurned under full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s memory are asked to be directed to the Chapter 61 of the DAV in Seguin in any amount by sending a check payable to:

DAV Chapter 61

PO Box 325

Seguin, TX 78156