Clinton George Dugger

Dugger, Clinton George ALBANY On September 8, 1929, Clinton George Dugger, was born to William and Mary Dugger, of Wappingers Falls, N.Y. He passed away April 24, 2020. Clinton was the baby brother to Wilhelmina, Elsie, John, and Raymond. He would later attend elementary, middle, and high school in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. In high school, Clinton was a successful student and athlete, playing football and running track. During the spring of 1948, Clinton graduated from Wappingers Falls Central School. While in high school, Clinton took a liking to cars, as did his brothers before him. After high school, while his brothers served during World War II, Clinton worked hard as a mechanic. He took up car racing and amateur boxing. However, his favorite activity was going to pick up his nieces and nephews and to be everyone's favorite uncle. In 1951, less than one year after the beginning of the Korean War, Clinton would once more follow in his brother's footsteps. He enlisted to serve in the United States Army. After some time spent overseas, he and his men were sent to San Antonio, Texas, to prepare and train while they awaited the word to deploy to Korea. That deployment never took place as the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed just a few days before their departure date. After successfully completing his tour of duty, Clinton separated from the military and returned home to rejoin family and friends. In 1955, per the recommendation of a mentor, The Rev. Jack Sharkey from Zion Church, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Clinton decided to pursue a college degree. Clinton Dugger attended St. Augustine's College (now St. Augustine's University) in Raleigh, N.C. St. Augustine's, an HBCU, represented an opportunity to further strengthen his mind, spiritual development, while filling an insatiable need to experience different parts of the country and the world. Little did he know that this decision would be a game changer. Clinton entered St. Augustine's College, as a freshman in 1955 and graduated in 1959. During this time, he began dating a young woman, Virginia Deloris McLean. After graduation, Clinton felt a stronger call to serve in the Church. Once again, with consultation and guidance from Father Sharkey, he enrolled in the Philadelphia Divinity School (PDS) in Philadelphia. It was during his time at PDS, Clinton was introduced to mission work in Haiti and Puerto Rico. Later in his career, as an ordained priest, with Virginia and young son Michael, he would return to Haiti to continue much needed mission work, on behalf of the Albany Episcopal Diocese. Clinton also ran the youth group at St. Simon's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. St. Simon's would be one of three congregations Clinton Dugger seriously considered when seeking to become a Rector. One of his highlights was scheduling the then unknown Chubby Checker, to perform a song called "The Twist," for the church youth group. Clinton's formal development as a spiritual leader in the Episcopal church at PDS, resulted in his graduation from PDS and ordination as a Deacon. Rev. Dugger preached his first sermon in front of God, family and friends, in June of 1962, at Zion Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie, the home church of the Dugger family. Four months later, in October of 1962, Rev. Clinton George Dugger was ordained priest, by The Rt. Rev. Bishop Brown. Father Clinton Dugger was the very first African American, ordained as priest, in the Episcopal Diocese of Albany. As a newly ordained priest, one of Father Dugger's very first acts was to travel to Chicago, and join a group of clergymen, participating in a major civil rights protest, attended and led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Father Dugger was one of several black clergymen that were arrested and temporarily put in jail, for participating in the non-violent protest. The Albany Times Union captured this early moment in Father Dugger's career. The very next month, The Rev. Clinton George Dugger and Virginia Deloris McLean were married in New York City, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The Rt. Rev. H.B. Donegan, former Episcopal Bishop of New York, presided. Despite being the first ordained African American priest in the Diocese of Albany, equitable practices had not filtered through all of society. Therefore, Father Dugger began his service to the Lord conducting smaller services, prayer sessions and bible studies at The Cathedral of All Saints in Albany. He was also assigned to perform similar responsibilities at Trinity Church in Albany. Father Dugger took very seriously the role of a husband and providing a stable life for his family; he returned to school to obtain a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.). This decision was financially sponsored by an individual who remained anonymous to Father Dugger and his wife. In 1967, Rev. Dugger was part of the first M.S.W. graduating class, at the State University of Albany. This accomplishment made him more marketable, allowing him to take on a dual role, as social worker and Chaplain, for The Berkshire Farm Youth Center for Boys in Canaan, N.Y. Rev. Dugger or "Chap," as the Berkshire Farm staff and students would call him, would work full-time at Berkshire Farm, for almost 15 years. It was during this time that Clinton Dugger's dream of having his own church began to take shape. His reputation, established at Trinity Church in Albany and The Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, as an energetic and spiritually uplifting leader became known throughout the diocese. Father Dugger was sought after by the Senior and Junior Wardens of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Chatham. They approached Bishop Brown with their request, and the Bishop agreed. During the early 1970s, Rev. Dugger was assigned to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Chatham. He also had begun to serve at Beaver Cross, the diocesan camp and spiritual retreat center. Father Dugger served as visiting priest for the summer camp programs, spending several weeks of the summer as a spiritual leader to the counselors and campers. He also loved swimming in the pool and jumping off that diving board. Beaver Cross is where the infamous chasuble featuring Jeremiah the bull frog, was created by the campers. This yearly ministry continued for over 30 years. Rev. Dugger led St. Luke's in Chatham for almost 15 years. During this time, his role at Berkshire Farm changed; and he was only working there part-time. In need of a more consistent role, to financially provide for his family, despite being a Canon, Vicar, and Chaplain, Father Dugger pursued an opportunity to teach at the diocesan episcopal boarding school, Hoosac, in Hoosick Falls. As a clergy member and teacher, Father Dugger taught an ethics class and served as chaplain. In 1985, Father Dugger took on a new position as rector of Church of The Redeemer in Rensselaer. He served the city of Rensselaer in various ways, chaplain of the fire department, supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, and dean of the Southern Metropolitan Deanery. However, like anywhere Father Dugger was, his greatest gift was pastoral care. His love and care for people was infectious, and was felt across communities, towns, cities and beyond. He was as a friend to all that crossed his path. In 1998, Rev. Dugger "retired" from Church of The Redeemer. His absolute consistency, treating everyone he came across with the same love and attention, was admired by all. After returning home to New Lebanon, he received the Lord's call one more time. This time, he was a familiar name to many familiar faces. While at Berkshire Farm, in the neighboring town of Canaan, Father or "Chap" Dugger had fully integrated himself into the fabric of both towns. He was often called on for baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, invocations, the Lion's Club, and the New Lebanon Little League. Always a good neighbor and friend, Chap, Clint, Father, Rev. "Hugger Dugger" was loved by all. In need of an interim priest, the timing of Clint and Ginny's return to New Lebanon was perfect for The Church of our Savior in New Lebanon. They asked the Bishop if he might be available to serve as an interim priest. At the age of 70, Father Dugger agreed. That interim role turned into a 15-year love affair. His final service was in 2015, at the age of 85. In 2018, Clint and Ginny moved to Virginia, to live with their son Michael and his family. The Rev. Clinton George Dugger is survived by his loving wife, Virginia. They were married for 58 years. He is also survived by his son and daughter in-law, Michael and Simone; three grandsons, Matthew, Jacob, and Joshua; his nieces and nephews, John, Janice, George, Frankie, Warren; and many grand, great-grand, and great-great-grand nieces and nephews. Funeral services which were postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic have been rescheduled. Visitation will take place in The Cathedral of All Saints, 62 South Swan St., Albany on Friday, July 9, from 7 until 8:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 10, at 11 a.m., immediately followed by committal in the Cathedral's Columbarium. In order to help plan for appropriately distanced seating in the Cathedral, the family requests that those planning to attend contact them, by sending an email to Michael and Simone Dugger at canonduggerfuneral@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in honor of Canon Dugger, go to support the Dean's (Leander S. Harding) Discretionary Fund. Checks may be made payable to Leander S. Harding, Dean of The Cathedral of All Saints. In the memo line, write Dean's Discretionary Account. These contributions may be sent by mail to: The Cathedral of All Saints, 62 South Swan St., Albany, NY, 12210. Contributions may also be given the day of the funeral proceedings. If you have further questions regarding your contribution, please call Meredith Ewbank at (518) 465-1342. Thank you! Rest in peace, good and faithful servant!