Ronnie Joe Dugger was born to be a coach and teacher and that was his passion. It showed through in the way he impacted students’ and athletes’ lives throughout his career.
Ronnie was born on August 30, 1948 to G. B. Dugger and Betty Irwin Dugger in Columbia, Tennessee. He wanted to be a coach even as a young man so he went to Austin Peay State University with that goal in mind. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. His early career began with him teaching at Greenbrier Elementary and then Cornersville School. He married Gwen Jones and they were the proud parents of three daughters.
Finally, he landed at Mt. Pleasant High School and his dreams of coaching were truly fulfilled. He started the MPHS Girls Softball Program and continued coaching them for twenty-seven years. In that time, one of the best parts of coaching that team was coaching his own daughters, granddaughter and nieces. Additionally, he was the longest tenured coach of the MPHS Football team, clocking in fifteen years with the young men. All the students at the school loved him, whether they were in athletics or academics; as he was also a great history teacher. He was easily remembered by all many years after they left the halls of their school. Many of them recall how impressive Coach Dugger’s memory was with history, dates and statistics. Even past retirement, he continued on at MPHS, in the softball program.
Ronnie was also a great family man and showed this not only to his wife and children, but in his love and dedication for taking care of his mother as she grew older. While he loved coaching he also reveled in watching his own grandchildren play ball. He was also generous and always took extra money with him on trips to be able to buy food and drinks for those students who didn’t have money of their own.
On the fun side of life, Ronnie loved to check the weather looking for snow days. He also loved to hunt, was a UT fan and a sports fan in general. He was a member of Main Street Church of Christ in Mt. Pleasant and shared a meal with the men of the church every Monday.
Ronnie Joe Dugger, age 66, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2014.
Ronnie is survived by his mother: Betty Dugger of Mt. Pleasant; loving wife: Gwen Dugger of Mt. Pleasant; children: Kristi (Derek) Pugh of Columbia, April (Glenn) Myhan of Summertown and Dara (Josh Kelly) Dugger of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren: Courtney and Dylan Osborne, Carley and Hayden Pugh, Shea and Camden Hinojosa and Brody and Annalise Myhan; brother: Wayne (Joyce) Dugger and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father: G. B. Dugger; and sister: Jill Dugger.
Funeral services for Mr. Dugger will be held at Main Street Church of Christ in Mt. Pleasant on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 12:00 Noon with Stephen Kelley officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant on Friday, November 28, 2014.
Derek Pugh, Glenn Myhan, Randy McNeece, Andre Baker, Darren Jones, Steve Jones and Stanley Smith will serve as pallbearers. All past members of his football and softball teams will be honorary pallbearers.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made to www.williamsfh.com.
