Charles "Charlie" Levi Doty

Charles “Charlie” Levi Doty, 84, of McGrew, Nebraska, passed away peacefully with his loving family at his side on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at Skyview in Bridgeport, Nebraska. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 3, 2023, at High Butte Cemetery near McGrew with Pastor Mike Erdman officiating. The United States Marine Corps and Gering American Legion Post 36 Funeral Honor Guard will provide military honors. Cremation has taken place in accordance with Charlie’s wishes. Memorials may be made to Skyview of Bridgeport or to the Gering American Legion Post 36. The service will be livestreamed and recorded to Charlie’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Charlie was born April 4, 1939, the third child of Levi and Mildred (Hansen) Doty.  It was during elementary school when he was fortunate to find his second set of parents, Fred and Ella Schulke. He graduated from high school in Lincoln, Nebraska before attending the University of Nebraska for one year where he played football.

He opted to join the Marine Corps rather than to be drafted on June 13, 1956.  He was honorably discharged April 1, 1959.  Charlie later joined the Marine Corps Reserve and served until June 12, 1962.

Charlie met Judith Lee in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and they were united in marriage on June 4, 1971.

His first love was being a cowboy in Craig, Colorado and later at the Watson and Elliot Ranches in Sioux Count, Nebraska. The next forty plus years were spent as a long-haul truck driver. He later worked for the Village of McGrew and at the Chimney Rock Golf Course. Charlie “officially retired” in June 2016. He was a member of the Eagles club. Welding and woodworking were some of his favorite hobbies. Charlie enjoyed watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers each season and liked playing pool.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Judi of McGrew; son, Tom (Amy) of Lebanon, IN; daughter, Samantha (Duane) Richardson of Crawfordsville, IN; grandchildren, Nicole, Lyndsei, Tommy, Kyle, Frankie, Michael, Sierra, John, Glenn, and Taylor; fifteen great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Charlie Lee, Tom Lee, and Pete (Patricia) Lee; sister-in-law,  Patti (Dick) Smith, Vikki (Kevin) Heiderman, and Linda (Mike) Minzey; along with numerous nieces and nephews, extended relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Levi, Mildred, Fred, and Ella; sisters, Pearl Doty, Beverly Boettiger, Shirley Chad, and Lila Bead; brother, Gary Doty; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Grace Lee; brothers-in-law, George Strauss and Frank Lee Jr.; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Lee and Jean Lee; grandson, Austin Shaw; nephew, Travis Cross; and lifelong friend, Ed Atkinson.