COL US ARMY (RETIRED) David Green Doane, MD, 92, of Jonesborough, TN, died Monday, May 26.
He was born to the late Mortimer and Elizabeth Doane, August 6, 1921, in Lynn, MA. David graduated from Tilton School, Tilton, NH in 1939 and received a BA from Norwich University in 1942. In 1946 he graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA where he received his MD degree.
After graduating from medical school, David joined the Navy where he was trained in the specialty of OB/GYN. During the Korean War he was assigned to Midway Island.
In 1953 David moved with his family to Walton, NY where, over the next 18 years, he and his wife Marjorie raised five children. While in Walton he delivered over 2000 babies and became the local family physician for hundreds of patients.
In 1968, when David’s oldest son Stephen joined the military, David returned to the military by joining the Army Reserve. He would serve with distinction as the Commanding Officer of the 73rd Field Hospital, in Binghamton, NY from 1968 to 1971. Sadly his son Stephen would be killed in action while serving in Vietnam in 1969. Some months after Stephen’s death, David learned that Stephen had been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. While receiving this award from President Nixon, David requested to return to Active Duty service in the Army. His request was granted.
For the next ten years David served his country attaining the rank of colonel. Of his many triumphs during this relatively short period, David’s crowning achievement was that of starting family medicine throughout the entire US Army. He would retire from Army Medicine in 1981 as the Commanding Officer of DeWitt Army Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA.
In 1981, David and Marjorie moved to Jonesborough, TN where for the next 13 years David worked as the Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University. He served as the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs during his final months at ETSU.
It seemed that David succeeded in all of his endeavors outside of his professional life as well. Throughout his life he bred, exhibited and judged Dalmatians. In 1949 he and his wife started Green Starr kennels. In only a short time, he was breeding top show dogs and the before long Green Starr kennels was one of the top kennels in the country. Over several decades he bred many champion Dalmatians and set winning records that some to this day have not been broken. In his later years he and his wife were highly sought after judges. His judging career took him all over the country as well as all over the globe. To this day Dalmatians grace his home.
Another significant passion was his love of thoroughbred horse racing. David was an avid student and breeder of thoroughbreds. Although not financially rewarding, he participated in the business as much has he could. In 2000 he was awarded the champion top two-year old colt with Le Grande Danseur which he bred. Many fine race horses to this day, carry his name as the breeder.
David had many passions. He loved music and was accomplished with the violin as well as with voice. He played in a number of symphony orchestras and sang in the church choir whenever possible. He was an avid runner and even into his sixties ran marathons.
David was an ardent reader. He maintained an extensive library in his home where he proudly displayed many fine works of literature. Of note was his particular interest in the Civil War. Additionally his favorite leaders which he routinely quoted were Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill.
David was also a master gardener. He had a real touch with nature that was clearly evident when you pulled up to the house. Even in his very elderly years that required the use of a cane in order to ambulate, David could be seen planting and caring for his flowers and trees as if they were his children.
Finally, David loved Tilton School. This is where David graduated from high school and where he would later send two of his children. For David, Tilton School was the type of institution where students are inspired to be of good character and integrity while pursuing lifelong personal success and service. During moments of reflection and reminiscence, Tilton is where David frequently returned.
David is survived by his wife Marjorie, sister Judith of Marblehead, MA and four children: Geoffrey and wife Cathy Doane of Manhattan, KS; Michael and wife Lenora Doane, of Binghamton, NY; Eric and wife Sue Doane of Evans, GA; and Leslie Doane and husband Michael Sibalik of Falls Church, VA. He also is survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to the Stephen Doane memorial fund at Tilton School, 30 School Street, Tilton, NH 03276.
Online giving: https://www.tiltonschool.org/giveonline

A memorial service will be held at Jonesborough Presbyterian Church, Jonesborough, TN on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 1:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery sometime in the future.