James “Earl” Daugherty, age 74, of Somerset, Kentucky, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, August 26, 2024. He was born on January 30, 1950 in Morman, Kentucky.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 54 years, Ianthe Jean (Lee) Daugherty, his daughters: Jennifer (Scott) Fairchild of Richmond, Kentucky and Jessica (James) Melton of Somerset, Kentucky and his three beloved grandchildren: Thomas Chandler Fairchild, Reaghan Grace Melton, and Hadley Faith Melton. He is also survived by two sisters, Brenda (Jimmy) Piper of Greenville, Kentucky and Sue (Roger) Elliott of Sebree, Kentucky, and brother-in-law Gary Lee of Mortons Gap, Kentucky. Earl is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Alberta Daugherty.

Before retirement, Earl spent his career with SuperValu Food Service as a Retail Business Counselor. Earl loved to read and travel. He believed in learning something new every day and in the value of education. He also loved to make people laugh, and he always had a joke or a story to tell. He spent most of his life in Hopkins County, Kentucky, and is survived by many friends and loved ones in the area. In 2017, Earl and Ianthe moved to Somerset, Kentucky, where he quickly made cherished friendships with his neighbors as well as his fellow members of Oak Hill Baptist Church. He will especially be missed by his many friends from the Maranatha Sunday School Class.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 from 11am to 1pm with a funeral service to begin at 1pm with Bro. Alan Fisher and Bro. Gary Phelps officiating. Burial will follow in the Southern Oaks Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Corey Clarke, Roy Roberts, Jeff Eades, Joey Harrelson, Lance Dunce, Jared Lee. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Jim Strack and Terry Prowse.

Southern Oaks Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for James Earl Daugherty.