John Charles Dugan

John Charles Dugan, 62, passed away on October 4, 2025 with his Mother and Sister at his side. John was born January 5, 1963 in Wilmington, Delaware to John Patrick and Donna Lee Dugan. Left to cherish his memory are his Mother, Donna Lee Dugan, his sister, Christine Dugan Olivier, his brother in law, Keith Olivier, numerous aunts and cousins, along with a wealth of friends and colleagues from his years in the aviation industry, and his membership in the Harley Owners Group. John was predeceased by his Father, John Patrick Dugan.
The family would like to recognize and thank caregivers, Janice Wheatley, Tricia Dukes and Regina Harris for their love and compassionate care for John. He loved them and considered them family.
Growing up in Hockessin Delaware, John was a curious child, forever wanting to know how things worked. To ascertain this information, he was known on occasion to take things apart down to the last nut and bolt, including a neighbor's lawn mower. He was an avid tree climber, much to his mother's dismay. He played Little League Baseball, enjoying the team camaraderie of the sport. He loved being outdoors and spent a Summer at Camp Keewaydin, a traditional wilderness canoe tripping camp, on Lake Temagami in northern Ontario, Canada.
John attended the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware, graduating in 1981. While in school, John continued to play baseball, and also played high school football. He played the trumpet in band and sang in the chorus. John volunteered as an EMT and firefighter with the Hockessin Volunteer Fire Department and was credited with saving the life of his sister's childhood friend following a particularly bad car accident.
John attended the University of Delaware, but the degree track was not pursued, as John's one and true passion was flying. He fell in love with it as a child sitting upon his father's shoulders watching the planes take off and land from the rooftop observation deck at the Greater Wilmington Airport. From there, while a teenager, flying lessons at New Garden Airport followed. He worked as a flight Instructor at Dawn Aeronautics in New Castle, Delaware, and as a private corporate pilot for Ronson Aviation in Trenton, New Jersey where he once flew Lucille Ball and her entourage to an event.
There was a time for a few years, when John's parents invested in a plane, a Piper Lance Turbo 6 seater. John flew his family on many trips, both for destinations as well as just to leaf peep in the Autumn. He was known on occasion to fly over his family home in Hockessin, dipping his wings to acknowledge his excited family below.
John entered the world of Commercial aviation in 1987 when he was hired by Allegheny Airlines, which became USAir Express in 1989. John became a Captain on the Dash-8, flying out of State College, PA and living in nearby Port Matilda until he took a chance to hire on with the newly formed AirTran Airways. He became a First Officer on the 737, eventually making Captain – a proud day indeed. He moved to Florida for a time, before finally settling in Sharpsburg, Georgia near his crew base of Atlanta.
John stayed with AirTran until he had a medical retirement in 2011 due to being diagnosed with a brain tumor that affected his vision. At the time, AirTran was merging with Southwest Airlines. John was retained as a pilot with Southwest until the time of his passing. He was so proud to be a member of SWAPA and part of the Southwest family.
Along with flying John had several other loves. John was passionate about the Second amendment and was a proud gun owner and Life Member of the NRA. John loved to snow ski and used his ability to ride the jump seat to fly to snowy destinations across the United States. He loved cars, owning more makes and models than anyone could keep track of, attending the Detroit Auto Show on a regular basis. He was a true Parrothead, attending countless Jimmy Buffett concerts with lifelong friends. And John loved Harley Davidson motorcycles, owning one most of his adult life. He rode from Atlanta to Sturgis attending the motorcycle rally there – checking that off of his bucket list. He participated in Harley Owners Group (HOG) chapter events, doing a myriad of charity rides, loving the ability to give back through one of his passions.
It is said of pilots that "To fly west, my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check." John's final flight touched down in Heaven where he was received by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, greeted by the words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
The funeral will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Hollomon-Brown Great Neck Chapel, Virginia Beach, with the family receiving visitors at 1:00 PM. Burial in Princess Anne Memorial Park immediately follows with a reception back at the funeral home afterwards. All are invited.