Dr. Joseph “Sonny” Elmo Dugas, Jr.

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather Dr. Joseph “Sonny” Elmo Dugas, Jr. passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 14, 2021 in New Orleans at the age of 90. Dr. Dugas was born in Franklin, Louisiana on December 12, 1930 to the late Joseph Elmo Dugas and Clara Mary Pontiff Dugas. He was married to his true love, Betty Jean Ford, as a teenager in June of 1950 in Beaumont, Texas. The next year he earned a certificate from Lamar University, and then continued on to LSU where he graduated from Medical School in 1956. Early in 1960 Dr. and Mrs. Dugas were blessed with their only son, Joseph "Buddy" E. Dugas, Jr.

Dr. Dugas served as a Captain in the Army National Guard from 1957-62 while he completed an internship at Mercy Hospital in New Orleans. He was a Resident of General Surgery at the VA hospital where he was named Chief Resident of General and Thoracic Surgery in 1961. That same year he opened his private practice office near Mercy Hospital. In 1964 he became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and began attending Loyola Law School at night while simultaneously running his practice during the day and completing training for his pilot’s license on the weekends.

Dr. Dugas was a man of great intellect, passion, and talent with many interests. He was one of the first in the state of Louisiana to have an MD, JD and pilot's License. Flying was his passion, whenever the opportunity would arise they would take off in their airplane on family vacations.

In 1970 he was awarded a Mayoralty of New Orleans Certificate of Merit, became a notary and a fellow of the American College of Legal Medicine, a founding staff member at East Jefferson General Hospital where he practiced for the remainder of his medical career. Throughout his 40 year medical career he was a staff member at Mercy Hospital, Lakeside Women’s Hospital, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at LSU School of Medicine, Chief of Surgery at Mercy Hospital, Chief of Surgery to EJ General Hospital, Chief of Staff at EJ General Hospital along with numerous chair and member positions on boards and task forces. He finally retired from medicine in 1997 and was granted Emeritus status by the EJ Board of Directors.

Dr. Dugas wore many hats throughout his long and successful life, but the ones he wore most proudly was that of husband and “Papaw”. He enjoyed spending most of his time with his wife of 68 years and his granddaughters.

Dr. Dugas is preceded in death by his wife Betty Jean F. Dugas, their son Joseph “Buddy” E. Dugas, III, and his goddaughter Darlene D. Robicheaux. He is survived by his sister, Dolores Dugas Robicheaux; brother Daryl Dugas (Jeannie); three granddaughters Hilary Elizabeth Dugas (Amber), Olivia Dugas Borrello (Vincent), Isabelle Grace Dugas, and his three nieces Paulene Smith (Michael), Jolene R. Curtis (Freddy), and Angie Hanagriff (David).

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Cindy Boyd, for truly being a lifelong friend, and for all the gumbos, birthday cakes, haircuts, and love you have shown our family over the years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service on Friday, August 20, 2021 at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Funeral Home at 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard in New Orleans. Visitation will begin at 1:30pm. Interment to follow at All Saints Mausoleum. All attendees are required to wear a facemask. Those wishing to leave their fond memories or condolences for the family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.lakelawnmetairie.com