The Daugherty family plot located at Lakeview Estates, Memorial Park Cemetery.

Billy Joe Daugherty
Sunday, November 29, 2009 12:00 am

DAUGHERTY - Billy Joe, Pastor and International Leader, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2009, at the age of 57. He was born in Magnolia, AR to Ruel Jack and Iru (Smith) Daugherty. He attended Oral Roberts University and graduated with a degree in Christian Education. He served as Youth Pastor for Sheridan Christian Center until 1976, when he became the Senior Pastor. By 1980, the congregation had grown from 300 to 12,000. In 1981, Daugherty founded Victory Christian Center, which became one of Tulsa's largest churches. Daugherty was also founder of Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute, and founded over 900 Bible-school campuses in 93 countries. Daugherty also founded Victory World Missions Training Center sending hundreds of missionaries around the world. In 1988, he founded the Tulsa Dream Center, providing food, clothing, medical, educational and recreational services to underserved families of North Tulsa. His television show, "Victory In Jesus" reached more than 100 million households in North America in addition to satellite and internet distribution worldwide. He and his wife have written more than a dozen books. Daugherty was one of America's best known charismatic pastors. In addition to his beloved wife and co-pastor, Sharon Annette (Swift) Daugherty, he is survived by his mother: Iru Daugherty. Their children: Sarah and Caleb Werhli, Ruth and Adam Sanders; John Daugherty, Paul and Ashley Daugherty. Grandchildren: Isaac and Elizabeth Werhli. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Charles and Linda Daugherty, Jack and Liz Daugherty. Preceded in death by his father: Ruel Jack Daugherty. A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m., Mabee Center, 81st and Lewis, Tulsa. Doors will open at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, family asks any contributions be made to Victory Christian Center Missions or Land and Building Fund to continue advancing the vision and ministry of Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty. Moores Southlawn 663-2233 Billy Joe Daugherty

Tulsa World Photo
Tulsa, Oklahoma

People from around the world joined the Victory Christian Center family Monday afternoon in a rousing, nearly four-hour tribute to Victory's pastor, Billy Joe Daugherty, 57, who died Nov. 22 of cancer.

An estimated 12,000 people packed Oral Roberts University's Mabee Center for the memorial service, characterized by worship, preaching, a few tears, laughter and many personal stories about Daugherty, one of the country's best-known charismatic ministers.

Among the attendees were well-known national preachers, numerous Tulsa-area ministers, representatives of the Tulsa Jewish community and political leaders such as U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and U.S. Rep. John Sullivan.

Oral Roberts appeared in a video from California, saying, "I don't think I've been touched by any human being as I was touched by Billy Joe.

"His going is a great loss for us on a personal level, but his life is still with us," Roberts said. "I loved him next to my son, Richard."

Associate Pastor Bruce Edwards called Daugherty an incredible man of faith and vision.

"I'm forever grateful for his vision and his impact on my life," he said.

Besides founding Tulsa's largest church, Daugherty was the founder of Victory Christian School; International Victory Bible Institute, with more than 900 campuses in about 93 countries; Victory World Missions Training Center; and the Dream Center.

Daugherty was the premier Oral Roberts University graduate, ORU board Chairman Mart Green said.

"We're
so proud of what he's done," he said. "He made you feel like you were something."

Sharon Daugherty, who co-founded and co-pastored the church with her husband, said the central theme of his life was reaching people with the message of Christ.

"What was in his heart was the harvest, all the time," she said.

She described meeting him in high school in 1969 in Magnolia, Ark., when they were part of a "move of the Holy Spirit, bunches of kids getting radically saved," which they later learned was going on all over the country, the Jesus Movement.

The Rev. Ron McIntosh, director of Victory Bible Institute, said Daugherty wore his titles "loosely." Many people didn't know he held an earned doctoral degree.

McIntosh said the two words that best describe Daugherty are humility and integrity, adding that he " just wanted to glorify God."

The Rev. Bob Green of Arrow Heights Baptist Church in Broken Arrow said he worked with Daugherty on joint projects over the years, and the two shared a bond that existed because "Jesus Christ is lord of our lives."

"It's been a privilege to call Billy Joe a friend," he said.

Itai Lavi, the Israeli "shaliach," or ambassador, to Tulsa, called Daugherty "my friend, my brother, my mentor."

In the Jewish tradition of speaking to the deceased, he said to Daugherty, "You opened the door, you opened your heart, you opened your arms. You helped create new friendship, new bonds with the Jewish community. Tulsa is a better community thanks to you."

Bishop David Oyedepo of Faith Tabernacle in Canaanland, Nigeria, called Daugherty a priceless jewel who is gone but not lost.

The Rev. Kenneth Copeland of Fort Worth, Texas, urged the family and others to resist grief and sorrow, which deny the reality that they will see him again.

Daugherty's son Paul said his father's last words to him were: "You are valuable. Your life is valuable. So spend it wisely."