Pierre Joseph Dugas

Mr. Pierre Joseph Dugas, SM/Sgt. Retired, of Gulfport, MS, passed away Thursday, December 11, 2008, in Gulfport after a lengthy but courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born June 1, 1930, in Belle Rose, LA, he attended Assumpton High School in Napoleonville and enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in January, 1948, serving as Chaplain Support Group Supervisor. He retired in Gulfport, MS February 1, 1970, with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. In 1972 he received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and soon thereafter received a Master's of Education Degree. Mr. Dugas was employed with the Biloxi Public Schools as a teacher at Beauvoir Elementary School. The following year he served as assistant principal for just 3 months. In November 1973 he became purchasing agent and cafeteria supervisor and retired from the Biloxi Public Schools in May of 1992 after 20 years of employment. He was an active member of St. James Catholic Church for 40 years and served as President of St. James Elementary School Board for a few years after retirement. Mr. Dugas was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Therese Scioneaux Dugas; parents, Philip J. Dugas and Marie Mabile Dugas; and brother, Edward George Dugas Mr. Dugas is survived by three daughters, Anna Dugas of Ocean Springs, Elizabeth D. Reiling and her husband, Steve, of Ocean Springs, and Margaret D. Pauley of Gulfport; one son, Mark D. Dugas of Gulfport; three sisters, Mae Dugas, Marie Landry and Edith Webre all of Donaldsonville, LA; two brothers, Edwin J. Dugas and his wife, Jane, of Belle Rose, LA, and Jean Philip Dugas and his wife, Carolyn, of Baton Rouge, LA; sister-in-law, Carolyn Dugas of Napoleonville, LA; godson, Michael Dugas of Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews; nine grandchildren, Courtney Taylor, Aaron Dugas, Kendrick McCarty, Dayne Dugas, Joseph Reiling, Brandon Dugas, Kristyn Pauley, Adam Reiling and Philip Reiling; and four great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Canon Hospice in Gulfport and "The Gardens Assisted Living" in Ocean Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation or the Akula Foundation (Canon). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, December 16, 2008, at 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport where friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi is in charge of services.