Fulton Doty, known for his 34 years as a music teacher at Anderson Union and North Valley Continuation high schools, died at his home Oct. 18 at age 88. He leaves his wife Betty, son Steve, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A daughter, Carol Lee Hart, preceded him in death.
He was a versatile musician and most recently had been playing saxophone, clarinet and keyboard at Redding and Anderson Senior Nutrition Center. He was also Director of the Tehama County Band for 30 years and Lay Minister of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Redding.
He was born September 2, 1921 in San Bernardino.
In an interview published Sept. 2, 2009, Doty told the Valley Post he decided while still a sophomore at Colton High School in southern California that he wanted to pursue a career in music education.
After graduating high school in post-Depression 1939 Doty opted to take post-graduate classes in high school chemistry and typing. His schedule also allowed him to sign up for beginning orchestra, where he taught as an assistant band director.
Doty eventually pursued higher education at Chaffee Junior College in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
After the United States entered into World War II, Doty was interested in serving his country, but on his own terms. He joined the musicians’ union in Hollywood and, in May 1942, was drafted into the Army Air Corps Band.
In WWII he played clarinet, saxophone and baritone horn in the 746th Army Air Forces Band. He was first stationed in Chico, where he met his wife, and was later sent to the Philippines.
He completed his formal education at Chico State and University of the Pacific and started teaching band, orchestra and general science at Anderson Union High School in 1952.
Doty taught a total of 17 years at AUHS. He then moved in 1969 to the then newly established North Valley High School, where he spent the next 17 years teaching music, for a total career of 34 years with the Anderson school district.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Anderson Frontier Senior Center, 2081 Frontier Trail, Anderson.
Portions of this article were reprinted from a Sept. 2, 2009 Valley Post special publication featuring the Anderson Union High School Centennial.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 1
andersonborn writes:
My sincerest condolances to the entire Doty family. Mr. Doty was an icon in the local community and will remembered as such. I first met him while attending Anderson High then continued working with him frequently while he clergied at weddings.
Quite and intelligent man and he'll be remembered with great affection by many!
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