Thomas "Tom" Doran

August 16, 1925 - November 3, 2009

Tom Doran, 84, of rural Beaver, Iowa passed away peacefully at the Madrid Home in Madrid, Iowa on Friday morning, October 30, 2009 where he had been a resident for the past 2 months. He was born on August 16, 1925, in Beaver, Iowa the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Harker) Doran. He was united in marriage to Patricia Shafer of Boone on June 16, 1954 at Carroll, Iowa. Tom graduated from Beaver High School in 1943 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa where he also briefly attended medical school before returning to the family farm operation. Tom was a lifelong grain and livestock farmer in Boone and Greene County, farming in a partnership, known as Doran Brothers, with his brother Jim. They developed and later sold purebred Angus cattle that were considered among the top herds in the United States. Tom and Jim also owned and operated a grain elevator and had part interest in a livestock sale barn. Among Tom’s proudest personal accomplishments was supporting the college education and graduation of all four of his sons. In retirement, Tom enjoyed spending time with his friends, and especially with his grandchildren. Tom was also very proud of his accomplishments, involvement, and relationships in the cattle industry. Survivors include his wife Patricia and their four sons; Ben and wife Christine of Boone (grandsons Chris and Mike), Jim of Chicago, Illinois (granddaughter Elizabeth and grandsons Daniel and George), Charlie of Ogden, John and wife Tami of Ankeny (granddaughter Haley and grandsons Brenden and Alec); brother J.C. of Beaver, and sisters Beverly Healy of San Antonio, Texas, Marilyn Doran of Boone, and Virginia McCall of Carthage, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Jim. Services will be held on Tuesday morning, November 3rd at 10:00 a.m. at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Ogden, Iowa with Father Steve Brodersen officiating. Interment will be in the Beaver Cemetery. Friends may call at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family present at that time to greet friends. A vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening. Visitations continue Tuesday morning at the Church from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial may direct their gift to the family for local charities to be determined by the family.