Doferice was born April 21, 1937 in Holmes County, Florida to Effie and John Will Thompson. Doferice was 1 of 11 children. He grew up in Holmes County, Florida and attended Ponce de Leon High School. He was an outstanding basketball player. Doferice loved to help his parents on the farm throughout his teenage life. He graduated High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force for 4 years. After his Air Force tour, he returned to Holmes County and earned his contractor’s license where he built residential homes. He also attended the University of West Florida and earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education K-12. He began his teaching and head coach career at Bethlehem High School for 26 years. He retired from teaching and has enjoyed retirement playing golf and fishing every day for 24 years. During his lifetime he was married to Rebecca Thompson for 62 years. He had 4 children, 8 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.