Obituary for Ronald Duggins

Ronald L. Duggins

April 10, 1943 – March 29, 2021

Ronald Lewis Duggins passed from this life into the presence of his Lord and Savior at the age of 77 on March 29th, 2021 after a long battle with lung disease.

Born on April 10th, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas, Ron moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma as a young child. He graduated from Ponca City High School in 1961 and served in the Army National Guard thereafter. Receiving a degree from Northern Oklahoma College, Ron furthered his education taking classes at the University of Oklahoma.

Ron spent most of his career in Geophysics and International Exploration at Conoco Oil Company, where he met and hosted overseas employees from all over the world. As a result, many of these became life-long family friends. Ron served as President of the Conoco Employees Association in Ponca City, and President of the International Safety Committee in Houston, Texas, where he was located when retiring from Conoco after 23 years.

Upon marrying the love of his life, his “Judy Kay” (Chitwood), Ron became an instant father to Regina, Tonya, and Errol Ray. He embraced family life and fatherhood as whole-heartedly as he had bachelorhood, trading in his sports car for a family station wagon. He soon became a Boy Scout dad, a girls’ softball coach and more, but is most fondly remembered by a group of high school cheerleaders whom he toted all over the country. Ron purchased a van just for that season, giving up his Elvis music for whatever it was the girls wanted to hear on the 8-track tapes he made for them. The van was as loud in color as it was in the laughter coming out of it.

Serving his community in many ways over the years, Ron was a charter member of the Marland Mansion Estate Commission, lifelong member of the Ponca City Elks Lodge where he held many chairs, one of the early members of the Schooner Car Club due to his love for old cars (especially corvettes), a 32nd Degree Mason of the Masonic Lodge, and a member of the 1st United Methodist Church in Ponca City.

During retirement, Ron and Judy co-operated the Elk’s restaurant, The Lodge Garden, and soon after, Captain Ron’s Icehouse at the Kaw Lake Marina. Ron never met a stranger in his many different ventures and his quick wit and humor always left people laughing,

Ron is proceeded in death by his daughter, Regina, whom he adored and had a special bond, his beloved parents, Lyle and Norma Dean Whipkey, his brother-in-law, Bill Cramer, and his fur baby, Megan.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, of 50 years, his daughter Tonya Innis of Bixby, his son Errol R. Heath of Tulsa, grand-daughter Nicole Heath of Stockton, California, grandsons Robert Latta Innis of Tulsa, Ronald Landon Innis of Redding, California, and Reagan L. Innis of Bixby. All 3 of his grandsons carry on Ron’s name having the same initials, “R.L.” He is also survived by his brother, Larry Duggins and wife Debbie of Choctaw, Oklahoma, sister Sherri Cramer of Ponca City, and many other in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A “Celebration of Life” ceremony will be held on Friday, April 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park, under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Memorial contributions may be made to OETA in honor of Ron’s love for old movies, history and the culture of Oklahoma. Donations may be made online at oeta.tv or sent to 7403 North Kelley Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73111.

Source: Trout Funeral Home