Harold Douthitt, Civil and Business Leader, Dies

Harold A. Douthitt, a long-time business and civic lead in Jackson, died on Tuesday.

He was 77.

Douthitt was born in Graves County, Kentucky.  His parents, Slayden W. and Lillian (Covington) Douthitt, relocated to Jackson in the 1950s, where they operated the popular Jackson 5&10 Store, a Ben Franklin affiliate on Main Street.  

In the mid-1980s, Douthitt developed the North Jackson Plaza area and the Prince Hollow Apartments.  He and three partners built commercial spaces on Highway 15 North and helped refocus the retail business in Jackson.  He moved his Main Street business to the new shopping center and continued to operate the Jackson True Value Store.  He served as a member the national True Value Board of Directors for several years.

He was a long-time Breathitt County Honey Festival Committee member and was active with other local civic organizations.  

Douthitt and his siblings donated land in honor of their parents for what is now known aa Douthitt Park.

His son, Key Douthitt, said his father “never met a stranger and loved his grandchildren.”

Harold Douthitt requested that no funeral be held for him, and the family complied with is request.  That did not stop the tributes posted online about the man that so many respected in the community.  

Long-time friend Cluster Howard said that Douthitt was always “young at heart and enjoyed having a good time.” 

Douthitt will be remembered for his service to the people of Jackson through his store and his many contributions to support local sports and academic efforts.

No celebration of life or memorial had been planned for Douthitt.