David Dryden Duggins Esq.

1937 - 2021

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, David Dryden Duggins, Esq., animated and festive husband of Elizabeth "Bitsy" Laudeman Duggins and father of two sons, David D. Duggins II. (Muriel Duggins) and W. Scott Duggins (fiancé Jessica Kempainen), passed away at the age of 83. David was born on June 9, 1937 to his parents, Frank Hall Duggins Sr. and Camille Wilson Duggins, and was raised in the backdrop of the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. David was preceded in death by his brother Col. Frank Hall Duggins Jr and sister Sharon Collard Griffin, along with his favorite dogs "Odie" and Czar Alexander Romanoff affectionately known as "Roe- Roe". David was an exceptional scholar and professional. He was a graduate of Metairie Park Country Day School and a Beta in college at Tulane University where he received both his undergraduate and Juris Doctorate degrees. David was the founder and owner of The Duggins Law Firm and was a 50-year member of the Louisiana State Bar. In his lifetime, he served on many community and civic boards, most notably a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International serving as Past President of Rotary Club of New Orleans and was named the Outstanding Rotarian of the year, incidentally, the same year his wife was designated the same. Additionally, he served on the boards for the Louisiana Civil Service Commission, Ya Ya Kids, Metropolitan Crime Commission, Bridge House, Odyssey House, Salvation Army, Metairie Park Country Day School, as well as serving as the Chairman of the board of St. Georges Episcopal School of New Orleans. David and Bitsy have been enjoying "Time Out" on the coast of Pass Christian for the past 14 years. In a more light-hearted nature, he enjoyed the jovial "spirits" of serving for several Mardi Gras organizations. David's talents and ambitions were many; extraordinary culinary talent in the kitchen, embarking in world travel, impressively boasting a collector of other man's "treasures", adopting a fierce passion for antiquing, never losing sight of a good bargain, and tastefully cooking jambalaya with his "flock" on the avenue during Mardi Gras. Known as "the Bishop" he always carried a smile, gold pen, and a whistle. To say that David was a character would be unfair. He was who characters admired and imitated! David is survived and will be missed by his ever-so patient wife, Bitsy, and sons, David and Scott, brother-in-law William Elliott Laudeman III (Sue), cousin and friend Dr. Jimmy Wells as well as his favorite grandchildren Elizabeth Sayle Duggins, David Dryden Duggins III, Elizabeth Cole Duggins, his adored nieces Keppler Laudeman Martin, Susu Laudeman Kellam, Kathleen Duggins Smith, Molly Duggins Crews, and his nephews, Richard and Robert Matherne. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family will hold a private-family service and burial. If desired, in lieu of flowers, the family asks to please send donations to the Salvation Army of Greater New Orleans (4526 S Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125 or visit www.salvationarmyalm.org/nola), New Orleans Rotary Fund Inc. (P.O. Box 50635, New Orleans LA 70150 or visit www.norfinola.org), or Metairie Park Country Day School (300 Park Road, Metairie, LA 70005 or visit www.mpcds.com). Condolences may be sent to the family at 20 Orpheum Ave, Metairie, LA 70005. To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.