Ronald Drew Dugan

Ron was born in Hart Haven on December 11, 1936, and lived at the home of his maternal grandmother, Daisy, until his mom, Anna Love Reinhardt, married Roland Edward Dugan on July 4, 1943. He went to Robert E. Lee high school in 1950 and played varsity football as an interior lineman. He stayed connected with his Lee classmates all his life.

The family moved to Bainbridge, MD in 1952 but Ron went to Aberdeen High School and graduated in 1954. He loved football so much that he hitch-hiked the 12 miles every day of his senior year so that he could play football in Aberdeen.

Ron returned to Hart Haven in 1954 and lived with his grandmother. She helped him secure a clerical job at the new regional office of State Farm Insurance. He worked in the office for nearly five years and decided to try selling insurance. His lifelong friends, John Martin and Wilson Smith followed the same career path and all three became very successful agents in the Jacksonville area. Ron had his office on Normandy Boulevard for many years and always explained that his office manager, Mable Sharp, was the main reason he managed to flourish as an agent.

Ron joined the Army National Guard in 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1970.

Ron married Victoria in 1960 and they divorced in 1966. Their daughter, Karla Lee Dugan was born on April 6, 1964. Vicky was the owner of the Wine Cellar restaurant, until she sold it in 2022. Ron’s daughter lived in Jacksonville until her death on June 20, 2024.

Ron was very active in both social and political activities on the “West” side of Jacksonville. He served as the chairman of the zoning board of appeals under Mayor Godbold.

Ron started playing poker when he was about ten years old. He was very good at the game and sustained himself financially by playing poker in Gainesville at the University while he learned how to make a living as a State Farm Agent.

Ron’s gambling passion led him to the game of craps which he played in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He always patronized the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas and was well known there to all the staff and table men. Ron kept a craps table in his home for many years and loved to use it to teach his friends the intricacies of the game. After stopping his gambling due to ill health, he estimated that he had won a million dollars and lost a million dollars playing craps but enjoyed a lifetime of fun while doing it.

Ron also loved playing golf. He participated in many tournaments and often won prizes and titles. He carded 2 “Hole-in-Ones” in his life and greatly enjoyed going to the Master’s Tournament in GA. He was a great supporter of all local sports and was one of the first buyers of Jaguar season tickets which he kept until his death.

Ron liked to travel and made numerous trips to foreign countries. He particularly enjoyed an extended safari to Africa in 1980. He also was able to go to Scotland many times and play golf at the Saint Andrews course. Ron never enjoyed flying but could tolerate it if the destination was desirable and there was enough alcohol on the plane.

Starting in 2020 Ron’s finances and interests were expertly supervised by Rebeccah Beller, Esq. who was appointed as his guardian by the courts. Ron succumbed to dementia at his home at Club Continental in Orange Park on July 7, 2024

Ron is survived by a brother, William of Fleming Island, a sister Patricia Hoffman, of Fleming Island and a sister Linda of Port Townsend, WA.

A memorial graveside service will be held at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205 on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Please join the family inside the funeral home for a reception, following the burial.