John William DuGay

On April 18, 2025, at the age of 102, John William DuGay passed away peacefully at Larksfield Place in Wichita, Kansas. A devoted husband, father, veteran, and friend, John lived a life rich in purpose, love, and quiet strength.
Born on November 24, 1922, in Lewiston, Maine, to Wilfred and Josephine (McDonald) Duguay, John's early life was shaped by resilience and adaptability. Growing up in both Maine and the Boston area, he lived with his father, relatives, and a foster family, forging his strong sense of independence early on. During the Great Depression, he made a decision that would shape the course of his life-joining the Civilian Conservation Corps where he worked constructing power lines.
Ensuring he could serve his country on his own terms, John enlisted in the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor, where he worked on the very B-17 bombers that would eventually guide a pivotal chapter of his life. After the war, he worked for Wiggins Airplane Company in Boston. In 1950, while passing through Wichita, fate intervened-he spotted B-29s at the Boeing Aircraft Company. The same airplanes he had come to know during the war. Inspired by the sight, John decided to stay, beginning a long career at Boeing, where he worked until his retirement in 1985.
It was in Wichita that John met the love of his life, Beverly Race, at an ice cream social-a sweet beginning to a love story that would span 70 years. They married on April 23, 1955, and together raised two daughters, Valerie Jean and Mary Anette (Jassendra DuGrace Kent). John especially supported his daughter's education, and additionally helped them develop talent for joking and laughter.
John and Beverly shared a passion for travel, finding joy and serenity in places like Nova Scotia, Victoria, and their cherished Rocky Mountain National Park. Their time together in Sedalia, where they bought a little house and created many happy memories, was among the most special chapters of their life together.
A man of many interests and talents, John loved hunting for treasures at garage sales and swap meets. He had a keen eye for antique cars and trucks-at one point owning around 20 of them. Though he never earned a pilot's license, John owned his own plane, reflecting his enduring fascination with flight.
Numbers fascinated John. Whether it was a date, a dollar amount, or the day of the week an event occurred, he could recall it with astounding precision. This remarkable memory became a beloved trait to those who knew him. John also had a deep appreciation for nature. As a dedicated member of the Tuesday Birders, he spent countless peaceful hours observing the birds he admired so much, his curiosity and joy for the natural world never fading.
John was preceded in death by his parents, brother and his beloved daughters, Valerie and Mary. He is survived by his devoted wife Beverly and many dear friends who will cherish his memory.
A funeral service to celebrate John's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, 5701 E Mount Vernon St, Wichita, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. refreshments will be provided after services, Dairy Queen, which was his favorite! John will be laid to rest in Estes Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Estes Park, Colorado, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
Memorial donations in John's honor may be made to Victory in the Valley, 3755 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S Market St, Wichita, KS 67202.
John DuGay's life was a testament to dedication, love, and the quiet power of living with intention and heart. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.