Obituary - Dave Dugan ( 1929 - 2016 )

 

Mr. David L. Dugan, age 86, of Carrollton, Georgia passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2016. David L Dugan was the second son of Edward John Dugan and Marian Bouton Dugan of Stamford Connecticut, born on June 20th 1929. The Dugan family consisted of six children. Along with their parents, brothers: Edward, Donald, and George are deceased; but brother Fred of Nokomis, Florida and his only sister, Marylou Hansen of Harwich, Massachusetts survive him. Dave met and married his wife of sixty three years Sara Merkl, of Lincoln, Alabama, as students at the University of Alabama. They located in Georgia after dropping out of school to begin their careers. He went to work for an engineering company in Atlanta and had the opportunity to teach a workshop for graduate engineers who had not had a course in soils mechanics when they were in school earlier, since that was what he was working on in his regular job. He discovered that teaching was enjoyable for him and after five and a half years in Atlanta the young family including the added three children, moved to Athens to return to college. Dave changed his major and earned two degrees in physical Education. While in school he worked for the Athens Recreation and Parks Department. After earning his first degree he was named Director of the Department. After several years in this role and earning another degree in physical education, a representative of the University of Georgia presented the notion of combining forces and establishing a Doctor's Degree in Recreation and parks Management since there was not one offered in the State. lt was approved, and Dr. Dugan became the first graduate in the State of Georgia to receive this degree. Soon after that West Georgia College and Dr. "D" got together for the next twenty two years where he was a Professor of Physical Education and Recreation and a new addition to the curricula of West Georgia was established. He ended his career at the Carrollton institution as the Director of Athletics. During his multi-faceted career he earned several awards including The Professional of The year for the State of Georgia and also selected for the Hall Of Fame in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association. He also was selected for the University of West Georgia's Athletic Hall of Fame. With his awards, the most coveted was his family including his daughter, Debra and sons: David, Jr., Timothy, and Michael. The seven grandchildren filled his later years with great joy. All Dugans, they were in order of birth, John, Thomas, Meghan, James, Katie, Beáu, and Jessie.