Walter led a life centered around his Catholic faith and his family. Growing up, he attended Broadview School, the nearby country school. As a young boy he worked beside his father and brothers. He was proud of himself when he got to run a hay crew at the young age of 11 with the mules Molly and Dolly. Upon entering junior high, he was sent to the Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City, Colorado, because his mother wanted him to have a Catholic education. He didn’t enjoy his time away from his family and the farm, so he returned home to complete high school at St. Francis Community High School. He later attended both Benedictine College and Kansas State University. However, the farm was calling him so he came home to farm and ranch.
His return to the farm would provide a happy, fulfilling life for him. He proudly farmed and raised cattle with his brothers, Roger and Stephen, until 2008. For several decades, they operated Douthit Brothers, Jim Douthit Farms and Douthit Herefords together.
Walter always enjoyed going to the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, and he did so as long as his health permitted him. His legacy continues to this day, with Douthit bulls still being prominently displayed in the yards, a mark that exceeds 80 consecutive years. His pride in their herd of Hereford cattle was only surpassed by his pride in his family.
Walter was blessed with three children: Teresa, Chad, and Megan. They became the light of Walter’s life; he centered his energy around them and their families. His love for agriculture was passed on to them, with each of them working in the agricultural industry in some capacity today. In 2008, he and his daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Chuck, began their own farming operation. He guided them for 16 years with a steady hand. Even as his health was deteriorating, he always had words of wisdom, which they sought out regularly. He had a vision and passion for farming in Cheyenne County that continues through Megan and her family.
Walter did not know a stranger; he was a jovial man who welcomed all with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. He lived out his faith in many ways, such as being an active member of the St. Francis Catholic Church, helping to build the current church in St. Francis, and praying the Rosary regularly.
Walter served on both the Farm Credit of Western Kansas and the Wheeler Equity Exchange Boards of Directors for over 10 years. In 2009, the local community recognized him as a Cheyenne County Fair parade marshal, alongside Roger and Stephen, in recognition of all they did for the local 4-H program. Walter was recognized by the NWSS Red Meat Club in 2017 for his dedication to the meat industry. The greatest public recognition he received was again alongside his brothers. Walter, Roger, and Stephen were inducted into the American Hereford Association’s Hall of Fame in 2012 for their commitment to the Hereford breed and the contributions their program made to the industry.
In his later years, Walter enjoyed international travel and attending as many Kansas State University football games as possible. He always wanted to see the world and was grateful for the opportunity to explore new places. During this time, he was blessed with five grandchildren who were the light of his life. To see Walter when they entered the room was to see pure joy.
Walter will be missed by many. Those left to carry on his legacy are his children: daughter Teresa Douthit, her husband Tom Svoboda, Grant, Elena, and step-grandson Lane; son Chad Douthit, his wife Tanya Draper Douthit, and Oliver; and daughter Megan Douthit-Downey, her husband Chuck, Carter and Austin.
He is survived by his sister Emily Peter, brother Rudolph Douthit and his wife Pat; sister-in-law Melva Douthit; nieces and nephews Deborah Peter, Jennifer (Brian) Cree, Mark (Jane) Peter, Michelle (Andy) Conrad, Jason (Kellie) Douthit, Jared (Candi) Douthit, Amy (Kevin) Barrier, Michael (Heather) Douthit, Stephanie (Rusty) Thomas, Ana (Tyler) Enfield, Erica Gattshall, Margo Douthit (Jacobus Swart), Courtney (Matt) Nelson, and Thomas Douthit.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, James and Helen (Pochop) Douthit, and brothers Roger and Stephen Douthit, and Roger’s wife Myra.
Services will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at St. Francis Catholic Church. The recitation of the Rosary will be at 1:30 p.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m., with the service concluding at the Saint Francis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Walter’s name to one of the following organizations: St. Francis Catholic Church, 625 River Street, St. Francis, KS 67756; Cheyenne County 4-H, PO Box 667, St. Francis, KS 67756; or the Kansas 4-H Foundation (https://www.kansas4hfoundation.org/give/). Memorial gifts can be also sent in care of Knodel Funeral Home, 202 South Benton, St. Francis, KS 67756.
Walter will be fondly remembered by all those who were blessed to know him.