Carmon E. Dugger Sr., 86, of Elizabethton, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, March 24, 2016. He was born July 17, 1929 to E.F. and Maude Murray Dugger. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John Dugger and Ray Dugger; five sisters, Mamie Seaton, Nelle Thomason, Erma Dykes, Viola Phillips and June Owens; two grandchildren, Kimberly Harper and Curtis James Dugger; and several nieces and nephews.
He attended schools at Southside and Elizabethton City, joined the Marines in 1948 and served in Japan and Hawaii during the Korean War. He played baseball for the Marines and broke several pitching and hitting records.
After his discharge, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, playing AA Ball. Later, he played in independent leagues. He worked at various jobs while playing ball, including floor sanding and selling life insurance and cemetery lots. In 1966, he was named the first Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Elizabethton.
He began his program in the old Lynn Avenue School, beginning with recreation parks, ball parks, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, horseshoes, basketball programs, volleyball and square dancing.
He renovated a farm house at 201 Perry Street into the first Senior Citizens Center, converted the National Guard Armory into the City Recreation Center, and all the work was done by his parks and recreation staff.
He built the linear park beginning at Black Bottom, running along Watauga River to Harmon Field.
He worked long hours, doing all paperwork and planning, manual labor, carpentry work, maintaining and improving the recreational facilities. He loved his work crew and the many students who worked during the summer on the work program.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as being an avid golfer. He set up golf tournaments for Elizabethton Municipal Golf Course and began the Buck Van Huss and Charlie Bayless annual tournaments, winning many of them. He was noted for his use of the 7 iron.
He was instrumental in bringing the Minnesota Twins to Elizabethton and made the agreement with just a handshake. He and his crew constructed the field, built the dugouts, and the stadium.
After retirement, he bought and remodeled a home in Seville, Fla., where he had a small orange grove. He loved to bring fruit back and give it away.
He was a caring and giving man, who especially loved children. His wish is in lieu of flowers, to support a charity, that provides care for needy children; or a trust fund is established for his special great-grandson, Ashton James Dugger, at Elizabethton Federal Savings Bank.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 64 years, Charlotte Hendrix Dugger, of the home; five children, Carmon E. Dugger Jr. and wife Linda, of Johnson City, Catherine D. Harper, Christine G. Dugger, Curtis P. Dugger and wife Lisa, and Charles F. Dugger and wife Diane, all of Elizabethton; five grandchildren, Martha Dugger, Christin Dugger, Adam Dugger, Brian Dugger and Ellie Dugger; and four great-grandchildren, Karlei, Maggie, Ashton and Helaiyna. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Mr. Carmon E. Dugger Sr. will be conducted at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26, in the Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Dr. Roy O. Collins III “Roc” and Mr. Michael Koruschak, minister, officiating. Music will be under the direction of Charles Dugger. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 4 until 7 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service, or at the residence at any time. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, March 28, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be Curtis P. Dugger, Adam Dugger, Brian Dugger, Ray Smith, Rick Church, Norman Parlier and George Prevett. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Allen, Richard Barker and employees of Elizabethton Federal Bank, Charlie Bayless, Harold Chambers, Larry Counts, Ronnie Dugger, the family of Willie Church, Gary Elliott, Jimmy Ensor, Tom Foster, Dr. Eugene Galloway, Bill Green and employees of Carter County Bank, Dave Holsclaw, Tommy Horton, Coolidge Johnson, Mike Mains, Howard Matherly, Larry Merritt, Kenneth Miller, Dr. Keith Morley, Dave McQueen, Jim Murray, Jay Nidiffer, officials of Minnesota Twins, Terry Ryan, Jim Rantz, Jim Shellenback, Rex Paris, Bill Rambo, Jeff Reed, Carrie Sams family, Gary Simerly, Tommy Spires, Harold Stout and Jerry Weaver. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton at 10:15 a.m. Monday to go in procession. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Rachel Monderer, the staff and nurses of Amedisys Hospice, and the nurses and staff of the 5400 floor of the Johnson City Medical Center. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Dugger family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.