Lionel Daugherty

Sgt. Lionel Anthony Daugherty, MSHP (Retired), Ava, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026, surrounded by his daughters Caron and Casey, sister Lavonne, and son-in-law Kory.

Born in Sparta, Missouri, on May 19, 1947, Lionel was the son of Earlin Daugherty and Geraldine Applegate Holt. After graduating from Sparta High School in 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Sue Johns, on September 4, 1965, and this union welcomed two daughters, Caron Linelle and Casey Lee.

As a promise and commitment to his wife, Carolyn, he provided a loving, stable home for their daughters after her death in 1982. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Lionel was proud of his daughters’ state tournament basketball appearances, Athlete of the Year awards, and college athletic scholarships, but he was most proud of their educational pursuits. It was their mother’s deepest wish and a final request for him to “see that our girls get their education.” Little did either of them know that would be the enduring legacy of both daughters–to lead a life helping educate others.

Lionel was a member of the Church of Christ. He enjoyed attending church services, gospel meetings, evening singings, and, in the last few years, participating in online services. Lionel had many friends across churches of Christ throughout the Ozarks, and he loved each and every one of them.

“He was one of the good ones” is a phrase Caron and Casey heard repeatedly about their father, and they witnessed it firsthand. So many times they saw Lionel secretly pay for meals of strangers–particularly when he saw evidence of single parenting, families with several children, or active or retired US military personnel.

When he wasn't visiting, traveling, playing games, or simply celebrating life alongside his daughters, Lionel could be found on the golf course. He treasured those competitive hours with friends around many of the Ozarks courses. He particularly enjoyed the weekend golf trips and good memories he made with Gary, Billy, Mark, and Joe.

At home, his days were full at the farm on the banks of Cowskin Creek. He tended cattle, restored furniture, landscaped the property, and tinkered with whatever needed attention. He could fix, build, wire, or plumb nearly anything, and he was host to some of the best fish fry gatherings. When evening came, he settled in for old Westerns or watched sports – college football and basketball, NFL, professional golf, Nascar races – every season had a sport to watch. He faithfully followed the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, and, always, the Sparta Trojans.

Lionel’s career started by working in the wiring department at Royal McBee Corporation in Springfield, which led him to a supervisor position in the electrical department at Zenith Electronics Corporation. It was playing on a men’s softball team with newly recruited Missouri State Highway Patrolmen that inspired Lionel to apply for the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy, which he entered November 1, 1973. Lionel served the Troop G communities of Thayer, Gainesville, Ava, and Willow Springs for 30 years. He was promoted twice and earned the highest national honor awarded to individuals who save or sustain a life: The American Red Cross Certificate of Merit, signed by President Ronald Reagan. In May 2026, Missouri State University-West Plains recognized Lionel’s public service with an honorary Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.

Lionel is survived by his two daughters, Caron and her husband Kory Mitchell, Emporia, KS; and Casey, Ava, MO; his sister, Della Lavonne Isaacs and husband Tony, Cutler Bay, Florida; sister-in-law Viola Daugherty, Chadwick; brother-in-law Danny Johns and Jenny, Norwood; sister-in-law Cathryn Bumgarner and Terry, Sparta; sister-in-law Cindy Adamson and Faron, Hartville; brother-in-law Rick Johns and Jinhua, Sparta; cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many great friends.

Lionel was preceded in death by his father Earlin Daugherty, mother Geraldine Holt, step-father Gene Holt, brother Jerry Daugherty, parents-in-law IJ and Susie Johns; nephews Matthew Bumgarner and Dennis Daugherty, niece Rachel Daugherty, and great nephew Hunter Daugherty. On May 30, 1982, he lost his high school sweetheart and wife of 16 years, Carolyn Johns Daugherty.

He will be greatly missed by so many, including the farm animals on the banks of the Cowskin Creek. He is thankful and appreciative to those who called to check in and uplift him during his illness.

Lionel would encourage you to buy a stranger’s meal this week or find a way to pay it forward. He supported Fair Haven Children’s Home in Strafford, Missouri, and a donation in his memory can be made at https://www.fairhavenchildrenshome.com/donate/

A memorial service in his honor will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, officiated by Wayne Stewart, with a visitation preceding the service at 10:00 a.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark, Missouri. 

A graveside service will follow at the Sparta Cemetery, Sparta, Missouri.