Matthew P. “Matt” Doherty of Hermiston died on Oct. 11, 2026 in Hermiston at the age of 98.
He was born on Jan. 10, 1928 in Ione to Margery and Neil Doherty, who were both immigrants from the Inishowen Peninsula area of Ireland.
Matt grew up 10 miles outside of Ione on a sheep ranch near Wells Springs with nine brothers and sisters. Before the end of his senior year in high school, near the end of World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to Japan to assist in the Japanese rehabilitation effort. During his service, Matt gained a great respect for the Japanese people. On his return home from Japan, he enrolled at the University of Washington but left before graduating to help at the ranch after the death of his father. When he was able to return to school, he chose to attend Eastern Oregon College where he studied teaching and met his future wife, Doris Lay. They were united in marriage on Aug. 20, 1951 in Enterprise. Matt and Doris taught for three years in Elgin before settling in Hermiston. Matt taught at Armand Larive Junior High before serving as principal at West Park Elementary School and later as vice superintendent of the Hermiston School District. In 1974, he was hired as the superintendent of Morrow County Schools, so he and Doris moved to Irrigon where they stayed until their retirement. They then returned to their farm property in Hermiston.
Matt served as a commissioner for the Port of Morrow and was a member of Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church. He loved hunting in the Blue Mountains where he and his brothers used to graze sheep in the summers. Matt enjoyed working on classic cars, restoring old tools and was handy at fixing almost anything. They owned a small farm where he kept in touch with his roots by raising cattle, sheep, hay and his three children, whom he kept busy doing chores.
He was a great believer in the power of education, and he and Doris set up a scholarship for students in Morrow and Umatilla counties. Matt also made sure all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren would have access to higher education in the future. He was very proud of all of them.
He is survived by two of his children, Susan Russell (Don) and Steve Doherty (Pai); son-in-law, Dave Fowler; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Matt was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Doris; a daughter, Kathy Fowler; his parents; and all nine of his siblings.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, Hermiston.
Burial with military honors will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of Matt with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
