The world lost one of the most generous, beautiful ladies with the passing of Dale S. Dugas on Friday, May 1, 2020 in Pensacola, Florida. Dale went to be in her new home with the Lord while surrounded by her family. She was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, the fourth of seven children, on August 27, 1955, to Leroy and Elvie Dugas. Dale was Baptized in the Christian, Catholic faith.
She attended and graduated from Carencro High School in 1974.
Dale worked at the Daily Advertiser in the early 1980's. Dale entered the Army branch of the military in 1984. She was honorably discharged as Sergeant on 28 March, 1990.
Dale worked for Pennzoil offshore for 7 years. Her oil field career continued with her being hired by Shell Offshore, Inc. Dale was a production operator, Waterflood operator and then subsea operator, working many in many different locations throughout her career, including The Cougar Unit (South Timbalier 300-301), The Bullwinkle platform (Green Canyon 65) and The Ursa Tension Leg Platform. (Mississippi Canyon 808, 809, 810, 852, 853, and 854.) Dale retired from Shell Oil with 20 years of service, in 2016.
Dale had many hobbies and interests throughout her life. In her early years she could be found on the softball field. Coming from a music-loving and talented family, she sang lead on her 1993 CD, Dale Dugas, Chanteuse Cajinne. Produced by Johnnie Allan and Junior Dugas. Song writing by Dale and Johnnie. Dale was inducted into the Cajun Lady Musician/Humanitarian Pioneer Wall of Fame on May 18, 2003 by the State of Louisiana, House of Representatives. Dale was also honored by the Daiquiri Queens at the Festival of Acadi-ens et Creoles on October 13, 2019. She loved keeping in touch with family and friends through celebrations, reunions, gatherings and Facebook. Dale loved spoiling the babies that were added to our wonderful families. Her five Godchildren were also on this “spoiled” list. Dale was a wonderful Cajun cook. Her kitchen gadgets have taken over the kitchen, utility room and some storage area. If there was a gadget for something, she wanted to try it. Dale was good at puzzles, and mystery solving stories and books. She enjoyed adult coloring with colored pencils and markers and “diamond painting”. Dale collected Crayola items and all the items bought and given to her are displayed in a bedroom dedicated for her collection.
Dale loved animals, and had a hand in rescuing many fur babies. Two were already in our home when she joined us. Those two lived to be twenty years old. Two were adopted from a Shell co-worker after the owner’s death. They were Siamese cats, and were brother and sister. They passed with cancer after two years. Next came a set of “brothers” from another lady that passed. Our next addition was rescued from a lady who was a “dog person.” He crawled into our purse and went home with us. Three fur babies found our front door to be saved from the big scary outdoors. One of the “brothers” passed away on the same day “Momma Dale” passed away.
Dale loved her college teams of LSU Tigers, Ragin’ Cajuns, and Nebraska Cornhuskers.
She loved walking along the beach to hunt for treasures from nature, all shapes and colors of shells.
Dale loved the Pensacola precision jet-flying military team, the Blue Angels. Each July and some November homecoming shows would find us with family and friends on the beach or on the Naval Air Station Pensacola, to be awed by their precision stunts.
A trip of a lifetime was going to Alaska for 10 days of activities, day and night, that included seeing the Aurora Borealis, going snow machining and dog sledding, and visiting Chenna Hot Springs, Santa Claus’ house at North Pole, Alaska, and attending the World Ice Sculpting Championships, etc..
Dale leaves to cherish her memory, life partner, Judith Mann of Gulf Breeze, Florida; siblings, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren:Sister, Brenda (Don) Quebodeaux, Lafayette, Louisiana; niece, Cynthia; great nephews, Dustan(Claire) and Blaid; great-great nephew and niece, Ryker and Aria; niece, Paula (Gene,) great-nephew, Gaige; great-great nieces, Isabelle and Allister; great nieces, Keeli and Blaik; Sister, Nita Simon, of Carencro, Louisiana; nieces, Lisa (Rickey) Castille; great-niece, Adrian (Derrick;) great-great niece, Ellie; Rachael and (Perry;) great niece, Courtney and (Nelton);great-great nephew and nieces, Jayden, Kamren, Dorian; great-nephew, Brody; great-great niece Brilee; Nephew, Jeremy; great nieces, Autum, Madison, K.K; Twin brother, Davis(Jennifer,) of Cankton, Louisiana; niece, Bobbie Jo (Tracy;) great-niece, Julia; and niece, Billie Jo. Brother, Junior, of Carencro, Louisiana; nieces, Mandy, Jamie, Britt, Brandi, and nephews, Michael, and Lee Allan; and great-niece, Malaina; and nephews, Kyle, Forrest, and Patrick. Brother, Ricky (Doris;) of Scott, Louisiana; nephews, Derek (Daphne;) great-nephew and great-niece Triston and Ramie; Nephew, Damon Troy; great-nieces, Kacelyn, Korleigh, and great- nephews, Dalyon and Jayden. Nephew, Drake and great nephew, Gavin.
Aunt Sis, (Velma Babineaux) and Aunt Mary Bordelon, both of Cankton, Louisiana. Cousin Scotty Walker of Lafayette, Louisiana.
“Sisters,” Connie (Al) Ragghianti, nephew and niece, Andrew and Allison of Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Deborah (Boyd) Friesen of York, Nebraska; niece, Danielle Friesen (Joel Mahin,) great-nieces and nephews, Cameron, Rheagan, Kinsleigh, Ayden; Nephew, Jason (Aubrie) Friesen, great-nieces, Jaycie and Jocie; Niece, Melanie (Aaron) Dickey; great-nephew, Noah; and a host of cousins and friends.
Dale was pre-deceased by her parents, her brother, Ernest, many aunts and uncles, and friends.
Pall bearers: Bobbie Jo Duhon, Michael Dugas, Derek Dugas, Dustan Quebodeaux, Autum Champagne, and Jason Friesen.
Honorary pall bearers: Brody Simon, Danielle Friesen, Andrew Ragghianti, Melanie Dickey, and Allison Ragghianti.
Due to the current restrictions on gatherings, a limited number of people can view Dale at a time at Oak Lawn Funeral Home in Pensacola, Florida, on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, between 2-4 pm. Please call Judy for specific details.
Viewing/visitation will be Saturday, May 9, 2020, at Melancon Funeral Home in Carencro, Louisiana, from 2-4 pm. Rosary will be said at 3:00. Closing music, and prayer, beginning at 3:30.
An outdoor service will follow the viewing/visitation at Evangeline Memorial Gardens starting at 4pm.
Military honors will follow the outdoor service.
