Ethan Dougherty

Born on December 13th, 1972, in Vancouver, BC, to Greg and Terri Dougherty, Ethan was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, teacher, coach and friend who touched countless lives with his kindness and big heart. Growing up in San Jose, California, Ethan’s passion for learning began early. After graduating from Bellarmine College Preparatory in 1991, [...]

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Birth: 1972 Death: 2024 Born on December 13th, 1972, in Vancouver, BC, to Greg and Terri Dougherty, Ethan was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, teacher, coach and friend who touched countless lives with his kindness and big heart. Growing up in San Jose, California, Ethan’s passion for learning began early. After graduating from Bellarmine College Preparatory in 1991, he pursued his educational journey, earning a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in 1995 and a Masters in Education from Southern Oregon University in 1997.

A fateful trip with his father introduced him to the breathtaking Oregon Coast, a place that would become his home and the backdrop to his life’s most meaningful work. Ethan found his calling in the Siuslaw School District in Florence, Oregon, where he dedicated an incredible 28 years to education. More than just a teacher, he was a coach, a mentor, a friend, and a source of endless inspiration to his students.



Known for his epic Chewbacca call at Outdoor School and his talent for creating memorable nicknames, Ethan made learning an adventure. Whether teaching 6th-grade or later focusing on 7th-grade math, he approached education with a unique blend of intelligence, humor, and genuine care. It was at Outdoor School that Ethan’s personal love story began.

He met Kady in 2001, and after reconnecting in 2012, they fell in love. The greatest joy of his life arrived in 2014 with the birth of his daughter, Olive Patricia. She was truly the light of his world, and the bond between father and daughter was something magical to behold.

Ethan’s passions were as vibrant as his personality. He was a die-hard Golden State Warriors fan, loved fantasy football, enjoyed solving puzzles with his mom, taking walks with his dad, playing golf with friends and family and playing games with Olive. His love for math extended beyond the classroom, manifesting in hilarious math parody songs and an unbeatable enthusiasm for shows like Jeopardy, Good Mythical Morning & NPR’s Sunday Puzzle.

He is survived by his beloved wife Kady Sneddon, their cherished daughter Olive, his parents Terri and Greg, his sister Erin, brother-in-law Ben, cousins Lauren and husband Paul, Matt, Kristin and husband Ryan, his adoring nieces and nephews Owen, Calvin, Ivy, Duke, Miley, and Henry along with his in-laws Bob & Debbie Sneddon and his sister-in-law Hope and partner Ryan. Ethan was more than just the smartest man we knew–he was a beacon of kindness, creativity, and pure joy. His legacy lives on in the thousands of lives he positively impacted, the laughter he shared, and the love he spread so generously.

Though he may no longer be with us physically, his spirit continues to inspire and remind us to approach life with love, compassion and a hearty dose of humor. A scholarship fund is being established in Ethan’s name. An account is open at Oregon Pacific Bank for donations to that cause.

Honor with Flowers In memory of Ethan Plant a Living Memorial In memory of Ethan.