A dedicated and hard worker, Earl worked to provide for his family as both a farmer and school bus driver. He loved to stay busy and he adored his family. Upon retirement, he was always gardening. His garden was his pride and joy and he shared that joy with many friends and family by giving away his beautiful vegetables. Another hobby that Earl enjoyed was playing cards with his many sisters. Earl also proudly served in the United States Army and was a proud member of the American Legion Post 283 in Welsh. Earl was the second of ten children and knew firsthand the importance of family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Those left to cherish Earl's wonderful memory is his wife of 63 years, Mildred F. Dugas; his two daughters, Margaret Broussard and her husband, Johnny, of Iowa, and Gwen Leonard and her husband, Danny, of Welsh; one son, Brad Dugas and his wife, Julia, of Welsh; his daughter-in-law, Sharon Thomas Dugas; five sisters, Juanita David and her husband, Burton, Sarah Monceaux, Lou Dugas, Dianne Dugas all of Lake Arthur and Isabelle Durrett of Lake Charles; 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
He was reunited in heaven with his son, Craig Dugas; his parents, Nelson and Rose Dugas; a sister, Grace Gaspard; and his brothers, Dallas, Walter Sr., and Chester Dugas.
A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 from 9am until time of dismissal at 11:30am with a rosary being prayed at 10:30am at J.E. Hixson & Sons Funeral Home in Welsh. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow visitation on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 12noon at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Welsh. Following services, Earl will be laid to rest in the St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Thornwell, LA.
Those honored to be pallbearers will be Brad Dugas, Chaunce Dugas, Trevor Ellison, Danny Leonard, Matt Butkus, and Larry Dugas. Johnny Broussard will act as honorary pallbearer.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Jennings American Legion Hospital, Camelot-Brookside in Jennings, and Lamm Hospice of Crowley.