Russel C. Daugharthy

Russel C. Daugharthy, known to nearly everyone as J.R., passed away on September 1, 2026, at the age of 77.

Throughout his life, J.R. pursued his many interests with deep enthusiasm. He was a cowboy who loved flowers, a gifted athlete who became a devoted coach, and a beloved teacher whose influence extended far beyond the classroom. In his younger years, he hunted, fished, ran track, played football and tennis, trained quarter horses, raised Charolais cattle, and worked on a ranch in Colorado. He also taught yoga, managed a Dairy Queen, earned a master’s degree in education, and taught science at Ottawa Middle School for more than 25 years. Athletics remained a lifelong passion, and he shared it generously with others, coaching softball at Ottawa High School and Ottawa University.

Across all these parts of his life, J.R.’s greatest gift was what he gave to other people. As a husband and father, his devotion ran even deeper. With the love of his life, Angie, he shared more than 40 years of marriage. He fiercely loved his children, Evan and Eranne, taking enormous pride in the people they became.

Thirty-one years ago, J.R. received a liver transplant, beginning a long chapter marked not only by illness, but also by gentleness, compassion, and reflection. He found pleasure in gardening, antiquing, bird watching from the porch, and the quiet practice of his morning rosary. His humor and delight in small pleasures never left him. His road was long, and the gravel sometimes got rough, but if J.R. passed a Dairy Queen he was likely to stop and buy everyone—including the dog—an ice cream cone.

J.R. is survived by his wife, Angie; his son, Evan Daugharthy (Larry White); his daughter, Eranne Daugharthy (Russell Schmidt); his sisters, Sandra and Terri; and a wide circle of extended family, friends, former students, and athletes whose lives he touched.

A rosary will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Dengel & Son Mortuary - Crematory, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa, Kansas, followed by visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 426 S. Cedar Street, Ottawa. Inurnment will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Highland Cemetery, 1050 E. 15th Street, Ottawa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in J.R.’s name to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

He will be remembered for his strength, his humor, his generosity, and for the confidence, kindness, and love he gave so freely to others.

To leave a special message for Russel's family or to share a memory of Russel, please visit the guestbook below