Ron was born on March 26th in Beaumont, Texas to Iva and Donald Duggins (Purkes). At the age of 21, he joined the Air Force, got married and had his first child. After moving to New Hampshire and Maine, he and his first wife Georgene Pitsensenberger had their second child in San Antonio. After starting in the Air Force in the Military Police, he found his calling stationed in Bellevue, Nebraska: computer programming. His third child was born a few years later in Bellevue, Nebraska to he and his second wife Jeanie Schrum. He left the Air Force and moved into a contracting role and finally settled in as a Civil Service Database Administrator role for AFWA, the Air Force Weather Agency. He retired from this role in 2017 and relocated to Mountain Home, Arkansas.
His children remember him as a loving, feisty father and even more loving grandfather (and Santa) with a passion for helping not just loved ones, but anyone in need. Many times he would help others by volunteering his time or blood… other times he would help himself by spending hours and hours on the lake fishing. Ron was passionate about fishing, poker, his granddaughters, the Chicago Cubs and the Dallas Cowboys. He often indulged in hours and nights fishing, poker tournaments and trips to see his loved ones. He was smart, witty and, most of all, selfless in his pursuit of helping those around him. He was a gentle soul in a fiery shell and a great example of a good man with bad, bad jokes.
Ron is survived by his mother, Iva Duggins (Purkes); children, Adam (Katie) Duggins of Olathe, Kansas, Tammy (Brian) Kadlec of Bellevue, Nebraska and Maggie Duggins of Papillion, Nebraska; Granddaughters, Allison and Amelia; aunts, Relda Purkes of Mountain Home, Arkansas and Loma Purkes of Jacksonville, Florida; siblings, Lynette (Paul) Bloyd of Beaumont, Texas, Sybil Perkins of Dallas, Texas, Donald (Debi) Duggins of Morris, Illinois and Pat (Diane) Duggins of Channahon, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, Donald Duggins of Mountain Home, Arkansas.
The visitation is scheduled for 10:00am and funeral is scheduled for 11:00am on Wednesday, June 7th at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary in Papillion, Nebraska with burial services to follow at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.
The family would like to thank all the caregivers and hospital staff at both the University of Nebraska Medical Center Buffett Cancer Center and the Josie Harper Hospice House that cared for him, treated him and helped him be as comfortable, loved and cared for as possible during his last days.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.KahlerDolceMortuary.com for the Duggins family.
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