Philip J. Doran

Philip J. Doran, aka Mr. D, left to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, October 3, 2025, after a short illness of pulmonary fibrous. He was born on March 16, 1938 at St. Agnes Children’s Home in West Hartford, Connecticut to Helen Haydaz and adopted in 1940 by Russell and Loretta Doran. He attended elementary at St. Joseph Catholic School in Meriden, Connecticut, Southington High School, and Hartford College.

He was employed as a product designer at Skinner Chuck Co. in New Britain, Connecticut in 1957. Two years later he was hired by The Cuno engineering Co. in Meriden as a design engineer. He was drafted in the Army in 1960 but enlisted in the Air Force after being guaranteed advanced training. After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Amarillo TX., he was assigned to The Core of Engineers Training Center at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

He was a Vietnam era veteran and his first deployment was to Forbes SAC Air Force Base in Topeka, KS. He met his wife at a USO dance while stationed in Topeka. He was ordered overseas in December of 1962 to Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska assigned to the Civil Engineering Dept. He survived the earthquake of 1963 and was discharged in January 1965 and returned to Southington, Connecticut. Phil returned to Topeka to marry Barbara Hazen Doran in her hometown of Erie, KS on July 31, 1965. Phil and Barbara lived in Topeka for 2 years working for an engineering firm then moved to Wichita to work for Boeing in 1967. Because of his Top Secret clearance while in the Air Force, he worked as a designer on classified military programs.

Phil continued his education at Wichita State University while working second shift. He retired from Boeing in 1995 after twenty years and then from Beech Aircraft in 2003 at the age of 65.

Phil’s life was filled with volunteering. He was active at his church activities; fun nights, social groups, CASA mentor, and coached his daughters in basketball. Volunteering at The Lords Diner was a Sunday evening event. He tutored in public schools for many years, and volunteered at the Robert J Dole Veterans hospital.

Starting in 1993, Phil received training at the Clown College and became “Mr. D.” He clowned at numerous schools, nursing homes, parades, The Farmers Market, Sam’s kid I.D. event, V.A Hospital annex, and The Lords Diner. Phil continued to share his famous dog balloon with all the medical staff taking care of him the last few months. He always said, “the way to stay young is to hang around with kids and lie about your age.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Loretta Doran; sister, Ellen; and wife of 55 years, Barbara Hazen Doran.

He is survived by his four children, Debbie (Marshall) Gregory of Grapevine, TX, Angela (Craig) Henderson of Sapulpa, OK, Michelle (Dan) Trim of Columbia, MO; son, Philip (Amanda) Doran Jr. of Southlake, TX; grandchildren, Nathan and Natalie Gregory, Brigid Henderson, Bella and Taylor Trim, Riley, Nora and Ewing Doran; and numerous special nieces and nephews, and step-grandchildren.

Rosary will be at 10:00 am, Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am, Thursday, October 9, 2025, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 2701 Pattie, Wichita, KS 67216.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.