Arthur R. Dugger

On Sunday night, September 4th, Arthur R. Dugger (Art, age 97) left us to be reunited in heaven with his beloved wife Evelyn, who predeceased him by just 6 short weeks.

Art grew up in Savannah Georgia, one of eleven children, with only his youngest brother Donald Dugger of Savannah remaining. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 during WW II and officially joined at age 18. He served as an Aviation Ordnanceman, filling the position of Bow Turret Gunner during flights in the PB4Y-2 Privateer that he admired so much. Before the end of the war, Art and his crewmates were shot down over Tokyo Bay during a mission and taken prisoner. There he stayed until being liberated at the end of the war. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and other honors.

Art returned home after the war to continue his education attending Armstrong College in Savannah and Southern Tech in Atlanta before transferring to The Georgia Institute of Technology. He had a brilliant mechanical mind and could design and build almost anything. He could take a piece of machinery apart and put it back together better than it was before. Art ran his own successful business until retiring at the age of 94.

Art married Evelyn in March of 1957 and they became parents for the first time in April of 1958. Their three children, Kevin Dugger (wife Beth Denker), Adrienne Dugger, and Arlyn Peele (husband Scott Smith) were raised in a loving home where they learned to appreciate the virtues of hard work and responsibility. Art is also survived by grandchildren Alex Dugger, Ashley Dugger, Emily Peele and Hannah Peele as well as step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Art used his time outside of work serving others and spending time with his family. As the unofficial “neighborhood handyman”, he was always willing to help a neighbor with heating and air, plumbing, electrical, or help a child with a broken bicycle or wagon. At his church, he organized frequent fish fries and pig roasts. His grandchildren delighted him, and he was an involved and active grandfather. Art was indeed a treasure. He was loved and admired and will be greatly missed.

The funeral service and celebration of his life, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday October 8th, at Sandy Springs Chapel located at 136 Mt. Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs GA 30328 with lunch following at the home of Kevin Dugger and Beth Denker, 5885 Pine Brook Road, Sandy Springs GA 30328. The service will also be recorded and posted to a link available on this page shortly after the ceremony for anyone not able to attend in person. Arthur had a great a love for his country. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Patriot Guard Riders, an organization who supports veterans and first responders and their families ( https://www.patriotguard.org )

The following link - https://vimeo.com/757040317 contains a photo tribute to Art and a video of the service for anyone not able to attend in person.