KADOKA | Steven Lester Doughty, age 66, of Kadoka, SD, died Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Fort Meade. Steve was born in Igloo, South Dakota (Black Hills Ordinance Depot) in Fall River County on September 4, 1949 to George Lester and Ardith Ione Kitterman-Doughty. Steve attended Custer High School and enlisted in the U.S. Maine Corps in September, 1966 at the age of 17. Sergeant Doughty served with several units and joined Lima Company 3rd. Bn. 1st. Marines, 1st Marine Division in Vietnam where he served from 1967 through 1970. Steve was combat wounded three times and was awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Medal with device for saving the life of a Brother Marine. He was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal with 2 stars, the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V", and the Combat Action Ribbon. In addition, Sergeant Doughty received several awards and commendations for service and leadership.

Having faithfully served his country, Steve then became involved in law enforcement and served as Chief of Police, Criminal Investigator, Chief Deputy and Firearms Instructor for various departments in the Black Hills area and Oregon. In 1989, Steve was selected by the Department of Energy to serve as Tactical Operations Commander at Los Alamos, New Mexico University of California Laboratory.

Steve loved riding his horses and adopted a variety of farm animals. The Doughty Family Genealogy was a great interest to Steve. His great-grandfather, Abel Lester Doughty, had arrived in South Dakota with his family in a covered wagon in the mid-1800's to homestead near Cottonwood, South Dakota. Family records dating from 1658 in Maine were kept and recorded the family's odyssey from Ireland, to Scotland, and finally to America.

Steve is survived by his wife, Lisa; and five children from a prior marriage; Shannon Marie Vazquez (Pedro), Kadoka; Sean Michael Doughty, Texas; Kerrie Lynn Saldico, New Mexico; Bryan Shea Doughty (Brandy), Kadoka; and Brett Allen Doughty, New Mexico; his sisters, Jewel, Shelley, Kelley, and Valerie; his brothers, Jeffrey and Lincoln; and ten grandchildren.

An inurnment will take place on Friday, July 29, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the Custer Cemetery.