John Docherty Obituary

John Docherty III

September 30, 1936 - July 28, 2025

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina - John A (Jack) Docherty III died peacefully on July 28, 2025. He was born to a family of 6 sons. Throughout his early life, Jack excelled in athletics and leadership. He was an undefeated Pittsburgh amateur boxer. He had three 1st round knockouts in four total minutes to win the Light-Heavyweight Championship title. He attended the University of Virginia on a football scholarship and was a starter defensive halfback where Don Shula, the legendary NFL head football coach, was his defensive backfield coach. At UVA, Jack was a member of the golf team and was also the last collegiate boxer to represent the University at the NCAA Boxing Championships before Boxing was eliminated as a college sport. He was elected his School's Student President and also to the Honor Committee. He was a member of the IMP Society, the Jefferson Literary Society, and the T.I.L.K.A. Honor Society. While serving in the US Navy, Jack played Service Football and was a 2-year captain for the Quonset Point Naval Air Base team. He was named 1st Team to the "All Navy" Service Football Team selected from the world's Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard Bases. The Navy Times Newspaper wrote that Jack Docherty was an "Ironman". He began his surgical instrument career with Bristol Myers Squibb and later became the CEO of his Boston medical company, Zimmer-Docherty Orthopedics. He assisted in the very early design and development of total hip and total knee implants and surgical instruments at Harvard's Mass General Hospital. Jack contributed to the field of orthopedics for over 30 years where he befriended numerous Boston residents and surgeons who later became the chiefs of orthopedic surgery at major US hospitals. He also was a lucky Massachusetts Mega Millions winner. Jack Docherty retired to Hilton Head Island, and while participating in volunteer work he became the Chairman of the Island's Planning Commission, Sea Pines Architectural Review Board, the Town's Rules and Procedure Committee, and the Land Management Ordinance Committee. He was a long-time member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and loved his mornings at daily Mass, which gave him a sense of peace and purpose. Jack took great pride that his 5 children had 13 university degrees. He had a countless number of friends who loved him dearly. Jack is survived by his college sweetheart, Velma E (Dohm) Docherty (UVA '60 nurse), children, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild, all of whom adored their grandfather and made his life immeasurably rich. He loved his faith, family, and friends. It is now time to celebrate Jack's life and his kindness to others. www.keithfuneral.com