TSGT (Ret) Nelson B. Dougherty, Sr., USAF, 83, of Carlisle, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 24, 2016 at the Church of God Home, Carlisle. He was born on November 21, 1933 in Bellwood, Pa, and was the son of the late Thomas Blair Dougherty and Ida Florence (Nelson) Dougherty. He was married on December 23, 1954 to Eva M. (McCaulley) Dougherty, who died May 12, 2008 and who was a 30-year retiree of the Federal Government with the last 25 years of service being with the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle.

He was a 1954 graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School in Bellwood. He entered the U.S. Air Force in July 1954, served for 20 years, and then was employed at the Mechanicsburg Naval Depot for 20 years, retiring with more than 40 years of government service. During his military career, he served in the Philippines, Thailand, and Germany as well as New York, Wyoming, Vermont, Florida, Alaska, Washington, Virginia, and Maryland. He was a member of Carlisle Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School records keeper, choir member, and on various committees. Nelson was an avid sports fan and fishing was his favorite past-time.

He is survived by two sons; Daniel Mark Dougherty (and wife Bobbi) and James Allyn Dougherty (and wife Dale) all of Carlisle, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one sister, Ethel G. (Dougherty) Sahmel of Brazil and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one son, Nelson B. Dougherty, Jr. on March 26, 1997, five sisters; Evelyn Mauer, Arlene Jowett, Thelma Neiman, Catherine Montgomery, Florence Ott and one brother, Daniel Mark Dougherty.

A viewing will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2016 followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m. in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, with Rev. Edward G. Roman, Jr., officiating. Burial with military honors by Cumberland County Honor Guard will be in Ashland Cemetery, Carlisle. Memorial donations may be made in Nelson's name to the Carlisle Baptist Church. Please visit www.Since1853.com to send condolences.