James Francis “Buster” Dougherty II

James Francis “Buster” Dougherty II, 61, a devout Catholic, was born on September 22, 1961, in Alice, Texas, to James Francis “Jim” Dougherty and Mary Antoinette “Anne” Pickle Dougherty. He passed into the eternal embrace of our Lord on May 23, 2023.

Buster’s childhood was spent in the Brush Country of South Texas in a family life centered around ranching and rodeoing. From a young age, it was clear Buster held specific talent in the ranch and rodeo circle and it was in this space where he came to find one of his greatest talents and places of personal peace – attending to horses. He was, quite simply, magical with horses, and his unique talent was undeniable by anyone who witnessed him with the beautiful animals he trained and cared for throughout his lifetime.

As a child, when he wasn’t on the ranch or in a rodeo arena, he was attending school starting in 1967 with Schallert Elementary School in Alice, Texas, and ultimately graduating from George West High School in 1980. In school and throughout his life, Buster was a charming, natural athlete and competitive in almost every way. He was also an incredibly intelligent student throughout his lifetime possessing unique gifts. During and beyond the education of his youth, Buster was an avid reader and an immensely talented writer (things his children and grandchildren share with him). He leaves behind volumes of written works treasured by his family.

Buster was preceded in death by his father, Jim Dougherty, brother, Franklin Cornelius “Pancho” Dougherty, grandparents, F. X. Dougherty and Leona Dougherty Grimsinger, and grandparents, Bob and Margaret Pickle.

He is survived by his three daughters, Haylee (Jerit) Davis, Alainya (Chad) Tomanec, Teysha (Ryan) Flores, and Shelby Dougherty; granddaughters Allison Davis, Avery Tomanec, and Brieley Tomanec; mother, Antoinette Pickle Dougherty Mangham; sisters Mary Margaret Dougherty Campbell (Cody), Kries Vaughan, Rebecca Dougherty, and Tracey Dougherty; brothers Todd (Pam) Dougherty and Scott (Tiffany) Dougherty; numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Buster will be remembered by his family for his sentimental nature, hardworking and creative spirit, love of sunsets and the fierce way he fought to overcome obstacles in his life. As we release him to our Lord, we hold the 91st Psalm close to our hearts and we take comfort in knowing he is eternally at peace.

Buster’s family invites the community, family, and friends to a memorial and burial service for him to be held at Saint Joseph’s Church and Saint Joseph Cemetery in Beeville, Texas, on Saturday, December 9, 2023 beginning at 10:00 a.m