Eddie Joe Dugger

On May 13, 2023, this world lost one amazing funny husband, father, Pappy, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend.  Eddie Joe Dugger unexpectedly passed away a few hours before porting in Galveston, Tx on a cruise celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Eddie Joe Dugger of Ore City was born on May 29, 1953, to Pete Dugger and Jo Beth Smith in Texarkana, AR. He attended several schools before settling at Ore City ISD where he lettered in many sports and met the love of his life, Karla Kay Green. They became high school sweethearts and married shortly after they graduated high school on April 14, 1973. 

Eddie loved sports, playing cards, and watching movies. He played sports from little league through high school, joined men’s softball leagues, refereed football, and enjoyed watching his family play sports especially his two pride and joys (grandchildren). After retirement,  one could find him watching his alumni, Ore City Rebels, or cheering on his grandchildren with the Clyde Bulldogs. He could explain all the rules to sporting events, especially football. He refereed high school football games for 20 plus years out of the Mt. Pleasant Chapter. On certain nights of the week, one could find him surrounded by friends playing poker and doing his best to win that hand. Eddie could name about every movie made and tell you all about it.

For 45 years, Eddie worked shift work at Lone Star Steel then became U.S. Steel to support his family. He began in the specialty tubing department then became certified in wastewater management.

There never was a dull moment when Eddie was around, and he never met a stranger. He was one that might start his ”amazing” dance moves when music was playing, aggravate someone near him, or even lend a hand. The best part was the way he treated everyone as family and cared for them deeply.

He is preceded in death by his parents Pete Dugger and Glenn Smith and in-laws Fred and Vina Lou Green.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karla Kay Dugger; daughters, Makenzie Bingham (Chris) of Clyde, and Kyla Jo Dugger of Sulphur, LA; grandchildren, Rhett Bingham and Kaycee Bingham of Clyde, Tx; parents, Jo Beth Smith Gilmer, Tx and Barbara Dugger of Holly Lake Ranch; sister, Debbie Whitfield (Dennis Markham) of Quitman, Tx; brothers, Robbie Dugger (Lois) of Brownwood, Tx, Petie Dugger of Holly Lake Ranch, Doyle Carter (LuAnn) of Holly Lake Ranch, and Darryl (Deena) of Flint, Tx; sister in law Reba (JL) Smith of Gilmer, Tx; brother in law JR Windsor of Terrell, Tx; many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews and many friends. 

Visitation is Friday, May 19, 2023, from 6-8  PM and funeral service at 11 AM Saturday, May 20, 2023 all residing at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer, Tx with graveside service following at Rosewood Cemetery

Makenzie and Kyla want to say a special thank you to some special people that helped and supported our mom and family from the moment that our life changed  J.L(Smitty) and Reba Smith and Jon and Lena Williamson, thank you from the bottom of our hearts