James "Jim" Dugan

James "Jim" Thomas Dugan, age 72, of Watertown, SD, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, November 18, 2024, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A Mass of Christian burial celebrating Jim's life will be held at 10am on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Father Shaun Haggerty and Father John Lantsberger will officiate. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown.
**NOTE LOCATION**
Visitation will be at the Immaculate Conception Church on Thursday, November 21 from 4pm to 7pm, with a scripture service led by Father Paul Rutten at 7pm.
** IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MADE TO IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL IN WATERTOWN, SOUTH DAKOTA. **
Jim Dugan was born on April 17, 1952, to Bud and Inie (Roby) Dugan. Jim was the youngest of six children, born on his mom's forty-first birthday, the "best birthday gift she could have had." He attended Immaculate Conception School until ninth grade. Jim graduated from WHS in 1970 and then St. Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota, in 1974. He returned home to run the family business, Dugan Sales & Service, where he worked until retirement in 2020. Jim loved his work. There, he built relationships that have lasted a lifetime.
Jim married Jane McCabe on September 11, 1976, at Infant of Prague Parish in Flossmoor, Illinois. They had three daughters, Kate, Kelly, and Erin-he was a proud father to his three girls and then grandfather to seven grandchildren.
He was a very active member of Immaculate Conception Parish, where he co-chaired, with John Devine, fundraising efforts to build the present church, and, later, the rectory. Jim was involved in Eucharist ministry and other parts of parish life, even Adoration at 4am. He was president of the Jenkins Living Foundation and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Jim was active in the recovery community for over 30 years and helped many people find sobriety and always encouraged his loved ones "do the next right thing."
Jim loved spending time with his family. He loved being a grandpa and enjoyed time with them, especially at Lake Kampeska. He loved boating, fishing, golf cart rides, jet skiing, and teaching the grandkids to waterski. Forever an Arrow, he taught his family how to bleed purple, and Jim never missed one of his kids' activities. Jim loved hunting and told his family to remember that he "shot a lot of ducks." Since the age of 12, Jim has loved the game of golf and has spent countless hours on various golf courses. His greatest regret was that he never achieved a hole in one.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother John; and members of Jane's family, including her parents, her sister Anne and husband Bill, her brother Marty, and her niece Emily.
Grateful to have shared his life is his wife, Jane and their daughters, Katherine Dugan of East Longmeadow, MA, Kelly (Scott) Erickson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Erin McBurney of Watertown, SD; his grandchildren, Aza Skinner, Charlie, Emmi, Lilly, and Sully Erickson, and Ellen and Mae McBurney; his siblings, Joe (Jeanene) Dugan of St. Louis, MO, Mary (Norm) Merz of Milwaukee, WI, Patricia Marx of Denver, CO, Jane Dugan of Milwaukee, WI; members of Jane's family, Tim (Meg) McCabe of St. Joseph, MI, Bill (Mary Jo) McCabe of Chicago, IL, and Tom (Dianna) McCabe of Peoria, AZ. He will be warmly remembered by many nieces and nephews and friends.
Jim's family extends deep gratitude to the many wonderful health care providers who offered not only comfort and care but are also instruments of God's love at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, Sanford Cancer Center, and Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family ~ www.wightandcomes.com