It is with great sadness that the family of John Luther Douglas Roughton “Doug” announces his death on May 22, 2025, at the age of 86. Douglas was born on September 22, 1938, in Elizabeth City to McCabe and Pauline Roughton. He grew up there until age 18, when he joined the US Air Force to serve four years overseas and in the US.
With his technical training from the Air Force, he was hired as an electronics engineer with General Electric in Los Angeles, California and from there went on to work on early computers and ultimately ended up as regional engineer for GE medical systems on the east coast, overseeing and maintaining CT scanners.
For most people, a career in the development of life-saving medical technology would have been enough but that was merely one of his many careers and jobs. Not in the correct order, he sold real estate, sold and built log homes, opened and operated restaurants on the Outer Banks and in Richmond, Virginia, opened and operated Carolina Custom Cabinets (for 18 years), opened and managed a shoe store, bought and renovated houses and commercial properties, and in the midst of all of that, raised two children.
His wife, partner and best friend Joyce Stein Roughton preceded him in death in 2009 and he mourned her loss until the day he died. Together they lived and moved all over California, Arizona and Virginia and North Carolina for 47 years.
He is survived by two children, son John and wife Larissa and daughter Julie Moye and husband Chris; five grandchildren, Jonnie, Jonah, Samantha, Danielle, and Christina; three great-grandchildren, Carter, Briana, and Tanner; a sister, Joanne and husband JD; sister-in-law Judy and husband Ron; brother-in-law Rich and wife Mary; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as many friends of all generations.
A celebration of life will be held in his honor on Sunday, June 1st from 2:00 to 6:00 at his house in Kitty Hawk where we will welcome friends and family to share stories and fellowship. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss! We met Doug when he got his sweet Shichon Teddy Bear from us.
He was such a delight each time we spoke, and OH how he loved his fur baby. Dude! I am so glad he had that precious time with his puppy and was able to love and spoil him! Prayers for your family.