Mr. Isaac "Ike" Doby

On June 12, 1954, a fighter was born. 

Isaac “Ike” Roach Doby, the youngest child of the late Lillian R. Doby and the late Alfred E. Doby, Sr., entered the world with vigor and boldness, unaware that he would leverage those qualities throughout the entirety of his life, which culminated on April 4, 2021. 

At the young age of 10, Ike was diagnosed with diabetes. The unexpected diagnosis left his family fearful that he would suffer an early death, but the fighter in Ike defied their deepest worries. For the next 26 years, he received insulin shots, dialysis treatments and, finally in May 1991, a kidney and pancreas transplant at the Medical University of South Carolina. Ike was projected to live about 10 years after the operation, but in true fighter fashion, he beat the odds and lived for 30 years, surviving everyone in his cohort who received a similar transplant around the same time. 

Ike’s fighter instincts also translated into him being a fierce competitor. He loved car racing, as a participant and fan, and would easily spend days at a time at the tracks. He loved horse racing, too. In fact, he owned three horses (not counting the pony his dad bought him) that he would ride to and watch races from, including the Carolina Cup. While he didn’t play football in school, he participated in unorganized games with his brother, cousins, and neighborhood kids, which led to his love of the game and dedication to watching professional ball every time it came on TV.  Ike was such a competitor, he would challenge anyone, no matter their size or experience, to a foot race or spades game. And, he fully anticipated to win every match. 

After graduating from Camden High School in 1972, Ike started a career at DuPont’s fiber plant in Camden, SC, where he worked until an early retirement. He became a mechanic thereafter, which allowed him to build upon his love for cars. Ike could diagnose nearly any car issue he was confronted with. When he wasn’t fixing cars, he’d spend a great deal of his time and energy with family.

If God’s promise for Ike’s life was that it should be interesting, adventurous, free of complaint, and lived on the edge, Ike fulfilled the promise expertly. He showed everyone around him that life was meant to be lived. And, he did so, often with his favorite Motown music playing in the background.

Ike fought until the very end, and he leaves behind to cherish his memory from the Doby family: Alfred E. (Ava), Trey (Christina), Candace (Carlton), Chris, Jaxon, Olivia; from the Provard family: Barbara Jean, Chasidee, Courtney, A’yania, Shanell. He also leaves behind dear friend, Jocelyn Mcleod and countless family members, friends and neighbors to celebrate his enduring spirit. 
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. Isaac "Ike" Doby, please visit our floral store.