Age 85, of Mt. Lebanon, PA, beloved husband and best friend of Lois Jean (Wells) Doran for over 65 years, died peacefully on Saturday June 30, 2018. Weldon C. Doran, Jr. was born in Huntington, WV on February 6, 1933.
He was the son of Beulah F. and Weldon C. Doran. He is preceded in death by his younger sister, Bobbye Jean Doran Lee. Besides his wife, Lois, Weldon is survived by his four loving children, Dana D. Olivarez (Juan), Diana C. Doran, Weldon C. Doran, III and Kelly D. Bareford (Christian).
He is the dearly treasured grandfather to his six grandsons, Stephen Olivarez (Crista), Tyler Graham, Doran Graham, Aidan Bareford, Anderson Bareford and Carston Bareford. His grandsons adored and cherished their beloved “Poppy”. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
As a prep school student at Bob Jones Academy in Greenville, SC, Weldon was a gifted athlete. He played soccer and basketball. Basketball was his favorite.
In fact, he excelled in the sport to the degree in which he received the Academy’s Most Athletic Student Award in the year of 1950. He went on to play basketball throughout the South in the 1950’s in the Industrial League. Weldon served for three years during the Korean War in the United States Marine Corps.
Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Huntington to complete his Geology degree from Marshall University. A job offer, in 1959, from Equitable Gas Company brought Weldon and his young family to Pittsburgh, PA. After seventeen years at Equitable, many of them spent as manager of the company’s Geology Department, Weldon resigned from Equitable Gas and founded his own company, Doran & Associates, Inc
He and his company became a leader in the oil and gas industry. The business engaged in the development, evaluation, consulting and operation of the natural gas and oil rerdzt/s in the Appalachian Basin region of the United States. He was dedicated to the development and conservation of our nation’s own energy needs.
Weldon’s knowledge and his reputation as an expert in the field of oil and gas exploration led his company to become, at one time, one of the largest independent producers of natural gas in the Appalachian Basin. Weldon was a Certified Petroleum Geologist and a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Association of Professional Geological Scientists, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineers Society, Pennsylvania Gas Association, IOGA of West Virginia and IOGA of New York. He was also a member of the PNGA’s Board of Trustees.
Over the course of his life, Weldon was active in both the Southern Baptist and Presbyterian Churches. He was a current member of Christ United Methodist Church. He had a beautiful Irish tenor singing voice and often led the song services.
He was known to lead a rousing rendition of one of his favorite hymns, “Amazing Grace”. Weldon was an avid hunter, golfer, voracious reader and enjoyed traveling with his family. Alaska, Maine, Florida, Ireland and New Zealand were some of his favorite places.
He traveled to Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Europe, China, various tropical locales and toured the Southern Hemisphere. He went on exciting trips and saw wonderous things throughout the world. He also enjoyed spending time at his Pennsylvania hunting camp and farm.
But for all of his travels, Weldon loved most being with Lois, the love of his life and his children and grandsons. The family would like to thank the many wonderful doctors and caregivers that helped to care for Weldon. Their dedication and effort to provide quality care to him over the last months of his life were a heartwarming blessing to the entire family.
We thank God for the gift of his life and the blessing of the time that we spent with him. While we mourn his passing and will miss him every single day, we rejoice in the memories of a life well spent together. Family and friends will be received at Laughlin Cremation & Funeral Tributes 222 Washington Road Mt.
Lebanon on Thursday from 4-7 PM. Services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Marshall University Big Green Athletic Fund or to the Marshall University Geology Department c/o Mr. Lance West, Marshall University, 519 John Marshall Drive Huntington, WV 25703, or to a charity of one’s choice.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
