Ralph Morris Dugger

Ralph Morris (Buddy) Dugger, 97, of Waco, Tx, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning April 26, 2026. He was born on December 18, 1928 to Ralph Lee and Rogene Ivy Dugger.

When he was a young teenager he would deliver groceries on his bicycle for Duggers Grocery, his dads store on the old square downtown. He grew up in a house around twentieth and Sanger with two brothers and two sisters. He used to describe their household as very lively, as all three boys took turns teasing their mother and sisters.

Ralph attended Southwestern Assembly of God College in Waxahachie, Tx for 4 years and later went to Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana where he met Joan Mary Whitaker, his future wife.

In 1952, Ralph and Joan, now Joan Dugger, moved to Waco, Tx. On April 8, 1954 their first child Trevor Brys Dugger was born, followed by Kevin Allen Dugger, June 3, 1957, and Tristan Heathe Dugger May 7, 1971.

At an early age he showed promise as a musician while learning to play piano, trumpet, trombone, xylophone, accordion and stand up bass. He was also a talented singer and would later serve as choir and worship leader at several churches in the Waco area.

When he was 16 years old his mother told him, "Buddy, don't ever let anyone steal your joy". He lived by that phrase the rest of his life. He was a man who truly never met a stranger. His family would say if he got on an elevator with someone, they would know his life story before they got off.

His hobbies were sports, and coin collecting. He loved Baylor and all the local professional teams. He was known to have as many as three televisions on at one time during bowl season.

He spent almost all of his career in banking at Citizens and Westview National banks.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan, his parents Ralph and Rogene, and eldest son, Trevor.

He is survived by son Kevin, his wife Linda, son Tristan, Trevor’s daughters Adreanne and Trisstah. Kevin’s children Kevin Austin and Amber, and Tristan’s daughter, Tristine. All of these he loved greatly.

There will be a visitation service at Pecan Grove Funeral Home Friday, May 8 from 6pm-8pm.

His memorial service will be 10am Saturday, May 9 at Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue, Waco Texas and will be followed by a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76701.