Longtime Sikeston dentist dies at 85

SPRINGFIELD -- Dr. John Lesley Doggett, a longtime Sikeston dentist died Aug. 29, 2008, at the Mount Vernon Veterans Administration Home. He was 85.

Born in the Patton area on May 4, 1923, Dr. Doggett served during World War II in the U.S. Navy Seabees. Upon his return from the war in 1946, he attended St. Louis University College of Dentistry graduating in June 1951. Also, in 1951, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Medical Service Corp serving two years at Camp Gordon, Ga.

On June 6, 1953, Dr. Doggett opened his dental practice in Sikeston where he had a thriving practice for 37 years and six months until his retirement Jan. 1, 1990. In addition to his dental practice, he was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 41 for 15 years, active in the PTA and a member of the Sikeston Art League.

Dr. Doggett was married to the former Mary Louise Wallis. Mary Doggett served on the Sikeston City Council and as Sikeston's mayor from 1980 to 1981

The Doggetts are the parents of two sons, James Doggett of Springfield and John David Doggett of Amarillo, Texas; and two daughters Laura Halley of Edmond, Okla., and Martha Horton of Victor, Colo.

A memorial service with visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston. Full obituary information can be found on Page 5A of today's paper.