Justin Smith eulogizes the passing of his Editor and friend –
Pete Doughtie. Here are a few brief introductory remarks from Justin’s
submission:
Pete
Doughtie, the owner and editor of The Rutherford Reader died at 12:04 AM on
January 10th, 2019, after a serious and extended illness. His symptoms started
in June, and at the time of his death, his doctors still hadn't determined what
was killing him.
Born
on April 8th, 1941, Pete was 77 years old.
JRH 1/13/19
Your generosity is always appreciated:
*****************
The Passing of a
Great Man
I Was His Friend
By Justin O. Smith
Sent 1/12/2019 8:44
PM
Pete Doughtie -
he was my editor, but he was my friend first and foremost, and I have never
regretted knowing him or having him in my life, not for one second. He was
without a doubt one of the finest men I have ever known, and this community,
Tennessee and America are going to be lesser places without such a fine,
wonderful and dear man, who entered a room bigger than life and always filled
it with a smile, wit, humor and love for all he met. And I don't think Pete
ever met a stranger in his life.
Pete had the faith of Abraham and trusted his life and the
lives of his sons and grandchildren to God. He was a rare combination of
someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of life's most
important matters, like the simplicity of living a life with those you love,
although his life was far from simple, offering up complexities and many
struggles. His main concerns, over any material possessions, were always
family, God and America first.
Who would have ever thought that a little boy from Virginia
would grow up, serve in the U.S. Army and in Korea, and go on to make such a
huge impact in the state of Tennessee and America, through The Rutherford Reader, a newspaper he and his dear and
loving wife, Kaye Sadler Doughtie, established nearly two decades ago right
here in Murfreesboro, TN. He gave a voice to millions of voiceless Americans,
who were being silenced daily by the Progressives in power and the mainstream
media that has moved steadily farther and farther left.
We can't speak of Pete's life without acknowledging the many
battles he fought on behalf of the people of Rutherford County, Tennessee and
America, and the fact that he was deeply involved in the politics of the
country. Whether it was issuing numerous warnings about the Islamization of
America and Sharia law and calling for the deportation of the Muslim
Brotherhood; his fight with the county over recognizing his paper for public
notices use; his fight against censorship -- in defense of Freedom of Speech
and Freedom of the Press and his regular defense of the U.S. Constitution and
Christianity, his strong conservative Christian worldview made Pete a force
that could not be ignored across the state of Tennessee. And it was amazing to
see all the shakers and movers, from Steve Gil and Lou Ann Zelenik, congressional candidates, to State
legislators, such Joe Carr, Bill Ketron, Rick Womick, and many others over the years, come to him
for his blessing, as the editor and owner of one of the best conservative
newspapers in the country, with over two million views a year. He was even
invited to a private meeting with Geert Wilders, the leader of the Party for
Freedom in the Parliament of the Netherlands in May of 2014.
He loved all and had a wealth of friends everywhere he went,
and although he made an abundance of enemies by way of his conservative stance
in the many political arena's, he never really hated his enemies. He strongly
disliked what many of his enemies did, but he also hoped to awaken them and one
day bring them to the love and joy that came through knowing Jesus Christ as
their Lord and Savior. So wrong were those who too often accused him of hating
his opponents and those who would destroy America.
Pete was a speaker of TRUTH, a newsman since 1965, and it
was his well thought well delivered truth that warmed the hearts of so many
good and decent people. As a journalist -- which he sometimes ironically denied
being -- he stood in great company and often beat Andrew McCarthy and Frank
Gaffney to the heart of the matter on issues, especially concerning national
security. Pete often asked, "Who will stand up?" Well ... he did, and
often, with hard-hitting, factual articles, that placed him on the front lines
of many battles to preserve the freedoms you and I hold so dear -- his words
shining like new silver dollars in the sunlight.
In 2011, Pete wrote: "I'm sick and
tired of not being counted when I'm offended. So many of Us are offended every
day, but we do not speak up; we just smile and take it, yet if you are
something other than 'white American', you are allowed to demand things be YOUR
way. And the sad thing is, you get what you demand. Well, it's time WE demand a
few things."
In an interview with Jerry Gordon, publisher of the New
English Review, Pete related how the September 11th terrorist
attacks prompted him to his battle against the spread of Islam in America. Pete remarked: "After
9/11, I knew we could no longer ignore the fact that Islamic terrorists were
carrying out their plans with a vengeance for the destruction of the West. We
reflect a Christian perspective through the paper. When I got into Sharia law,
I knew we were in trouble."
Even Christian men have their limits, and it was impossible
not to laugh 'til your sides ached, on the day that after an especially
aggressive provocation, Pete justifiably told Eric Allen Bell, a freelance
reporter and Muslim apologist at the time, to step away from him and Lou Ann
Zelenik, adding: "I'm going to
stuff that camera right up your ass". Pete certainly did not broker any
nonsense on his watch.
And I can't count the times I have heard Pete observe,
rightly so: "We have been a strong Christian country, and if we don't get
back to it, the whole face of this nation is going to change."
After nearly two decades of friendship, I came to know Pete
as a man for all seasons. Just as in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, he knew there was a
time for all things under the sun and under Heaven:
"A time to be born, and a time to die ... a time to
kill, and a time to heal ... a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to
mourn and a time to dance ... a time to love ..."
Pete's life was really a love story. Of all the people he
touched, his most proud achievement in life was marrying Kaye Sadler, who he
had known from their kindergarten days 'til his final breath. So poignant is
the telling of their first "date" and a walk to the local theater for
a movie, in the 4th grade. Kaye supported him in all his glory during his
heyday -- they supported each other, as they raised their sons and watched
their family grow with many grandchildren. Kaye lovingly supported him physically
and spiritually during their last days together.
I am sure that most of you have thought about Pete a great
deal, much as I have, and with warmth in your hearts and in your recollections.
Someday, some year, there will be old men and women whose pride it will be to
say: "I knew Pete Doughtie:" Some will be able to say: "I saw
him and I heard him -- the unforgettable voice and his fine and memorable
words." And some will be able to say: "I knew him and talked with
him, and I was his friend."
How his eyes shone and sparkled, whenever he spoke of his
wife and his sons and grandchildren.
This I can, with a mixture of pride and humility, say for
myself. The memory of this moves me deeply now that he is crossing the River
Jordan, but is remembered by me as he goes to his burial amid the sorrow, and
pride, and thanks, of all of you who stand and feel for yourselves and so many
thousands who mourn the passing of this wonderful man.
Pete Doughtie stood tall among his peers, a lion and a
leader of men, a man of intelligence and chuckling humor and penetrating
understanding, who expressed the simple and enduring feelings of ordinary men
and women. As a great American patriot, he was able to speak for the American
people, and as a Statesman of excellent character and morals -- although he
never served in public office -- he was able to warm hearts and inspire courage
across Tennessee; he was such a fine human being that he lit the lamps of hope
at many firesides and relieved many of our countrymen from despair. I thank God
for him and I celebrate his life with all the joy that he brought to so many,
who truly knew him.
And never forget this. Pete's wife is with us here in
Murfreesboro, a great and gracious lady in her own right. Could I send her your
love, and mine? She has suffered an irreparable loss. But she has proud and
enduring memories. Happy memories, I venture to say. We share her sorrow, but I
know she would love to hear our wonderful memories of this fine man, who she
loved for all her life.
Pete was a fountain of light and hope, and as he makes his
journey to Heaven, I'm sure St. Peter has the gates wide-open in anticipation.
It has been many a decade since one man in Tennessee accepted so many burdens
and left behind so many precious and splendid memories.
Pete was a voice of truth and reason and he spoke with
courage, defiance, and hope and a rugged confidence for himself, for Tennessee
and for all America. His was a life well lived.
Good-bye Dear Friend. 'Til we meet on the other side, You
will be sorely missed.
~ Justin O Smith
+++++++++++++
Pete Doughtie Obituary
________________
Edited by John R. Houk
Source links by the Editor.
© Justin O. Smith
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