of Little Rock, AR
August 2, 1939 - March 18, 2015
Donald Deyo Dugan, Sr., 75, of Little Rock, AR, left this world and went on to be in a better place, surrounded by loved ones, on Wednesday, March 18,
2015. Don was born August 2, 1939, in Terre Haute, IN, the son of Dr.
Lawrence Jay Dugan, MD and Margaret Livingston Dugan, who preceded him
in death. He grew up in Little Rock and was a dominant Little League and Pony League pitcher. In 1952 he led his Little Rock All Star Little Rock Little League Baseball team to be the first Arkansas team to reach the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
Don graduated from Little Rock Central High School in May, 1957, as a
member of Arkansas Boy's State, Beta Club, Key Club, Inter-Club Council
and National Honor Society. He participated in a student exchange program
in Manitowoc, WI. He attended Mississippi State University from 1957-1962
while on the Engineering Coop Plan with the US Army Corps of Engineers
and graduated receiving a civil engineering degree. He was a member of the
Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was an esteemed employee of the U. S Army Corps of Engineers for 36 years, working primarily in the Little Rock District, Design and Planning Section, on various projects in Arkansas and Southern Missouri, with two years spent in the Savannah District, and retiring in 1994. He was a Professional Engineer and was a member of the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers. He joined in the Arkansas Air National Guard 123rd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron in 1962, also spending two years with the Georgia ANG in Savannah, GA, before returning to the 123rd for completion of the 6-year obligation. Don compiled, edited and marketed the book, Holtz' Quotes, featuring sayings by Lou Holtz, in 1978. This resulted in many humorous and unusual experiences for an engineer with no previous background in this area. He assisted the two authors, Willis Callaway and Norris Guinn, of the book, Lamar Porter Field and Memories of Sports in Little Rock During the 1950's, with structure and promotion of the book for the enjoyment of baseball fans of this era. He enjoyed bowling with the LRCOE and Savannah District Leagues, golf, horse racing, casinos, ballroom dancing and playing bridge with friends. He was a longtime member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.
He is survived by a daughter, Marie Louise Dugan Hogan, Little Rock, AR;
son, Donald Deyo Dugan, Jr and his wife Tasha Stratton, Little Rock, AR; two
nieces, Melissa Gillespie Dooley of Fort Smith, AR and Jennifer Gillespie of
Little Rock, AR; 2 granddaughters, Skye Stratton Ward of Little Rock and
Marie Hogan Crow of Griffithville, AR; grandsons, James Hogan, Jr., Ronan
Dugan and Finn Dugan, all of Little Rock, AR; 5 great grandchildren and two
step-great-grandchildren; Brother-in-Law, Jim Gillespie, his wife, Lisa and
son, Doug, of Fort Smith, AR; very close friend and cousin, Ellen Holloway of
Benton, AR, cousin; Glenn E. ''Ghee'' Livingston Larimore of Urbana, IL;
Former wife and cherished friend, Marie C. Dugan; and a host of other family
and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Geraldine
''Geri'' Livingston Dugan Gillespie of Fort Smith, AR and grandson, Keegan
Deyo Dugan.
Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m., on Monday, March 23, 2015, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock (501) 224-8300. Burial, following the funeral, will be at Roselawn Cemetery, Little Rock. Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Lamar
Porter Complex Revitalization 1616 W. 3rd St. Little Rock, AR 72201.
Sign Guestbook
8 Condolence(s)
Willis Callaway
Monday, March 23, 2015
Don Jr and Marie,
I had not met you until the funeral but I want you to know that I loved Don Sr. We had a lot of good times together playing baseball, especially on the Little Rock Little League team that went to the LL Wordl Series in Williamsport, PA. We made it because of his pitching.
I have told many people that he is still the best LL pitcher that I have seen in person. His striking out 19 of 21 batters in the District finals against the the home town team of Natchez, MS is still the best performance that i have personally witnessed in baseball. Natchez was an all-star team and the MS state champions. Being big for his age at 12 and already shaving, he had to endure the taunts of the Natchez fans as the they asked Don: "How are your wife and kids doing back in Little Rock?'
Don was so good he had reason to have the big head but I never heard him brag on himself. I never heard anyone say an unkind word about Don. He was always a gentleman on and off the field.
He suggested that Norris Guinn and I go public with our book on Lamar Porter Field and gave us valuable guidance. I will miss him at Lamar Porter Friends meeting. HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND1
Richard Key
Monday, March 23, 2015
Don was one of the nice guys. He was always the same. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. GOD BLESS
Jim Manning
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Dear Family,
Carolyn and I were saddened to learn of Don's passing on March 18, ironically on my birthday.
The memories are many, and all good ones. Don and I competed as Little League pitchers in 1952 (he won every time). We served in the Arkansas Air Natural Guard together and had many mutual friends.
I remember fondly his mother, Margaret, his sister 'Geri' and Marie.
There are two things I can say to Don's family that I know to be true; that he was a good man and in 1952 Don Dugan was the best Little League pitcher in Arkansas and maybe the United States!
Sincerely,
Jim and Carolyn Manning
John Maxey
Sunday, March 22, 2015
What a good guy and a wonderful life. Don and Gerri were my 2nd cousins via Aunt Mary Livingston. I still remember sneaking into this older guy's room and viewing it as hallowed ground. I didn't stay long because I was scared I'd be caught!
Jackie Baldwin Gray
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Don was my llittle brother. We grew up together from the time we were born, but were cousins. I have many fond memories of all the fun we had. Although we live in different cities we have stayed in touch so I will still miss him a lot. He was fortunate to have a wonderful family who will really miss him. But, we'll all be together again. "Cuz" Jackie
jim porter
Saturday, March 21, 2015
We lost one of the "Good Guys". I'll miss his eternal good attitude and humor. May he rest in God's arms.
KENT SHOCKEY
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Sorry I missed him in Savannah
Whitney Perser
Friday, March 20, 2015
To Don's Family,
He will be missed by many, and especially by me. He was a headstrong man that would allow me to take care of him without too much resistance. He was a good man and I'm sure he is trilled to be in a place where he can do whatever he wants without the nagging of me.
He was one of a kind!
I'm sorry for your loss.