Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Kenneth Lee Dugger


Kenneth Lee Dugger passed away Oct. 13 at the age of 73 in his home in Wendell after a long battle with cancer. He was known for working as a hardrock miner. This rock he couldn't move, but he gave it a tough try.

Ken was born April 19, 1935, in Shoshone to Leo and Cleo Dugger. They later moved to Hailey where he attended school. He was on a ski team and ski patrol and had his picture in Life magazine. He had also built his first skis out of wooden barrel slates. While growing up in Sun Valley at the age of 15 or 16 years old he would climb the mountains looking at rock where an old prospector showed him some gold. Later he earned a mining claim from him, up Colorado Gulch.

He married Deanie Moulder in 1954, and had three children—Brenda, Dan and Doug.

He later worked for the Silver Queen mine in Bellevue and also worked on his own mining claim. While raising the family, they would camp out in Colorado Gulch most summers and near the Deer Creek mining claim. Gold fever kept him going for years, traveling to Cobalt, Idaho, and to Nevada, Wyoming, New Mexico and back to his own claims. He was a good, hard-working tramp miner. He also belonged to the Hailey Shootout gang, the Black Powder Club, and had some great times. He left his children precious memories of their father. He was proud of them. The children loved being raised up the canyon. After 31 years of marriage he and Deanie divorced.

He then married Vicky Hollaway. They owned and operated West Pointe Service in Wendell. They enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting until cancer took over.

Ken is survived by his wife Vicky; his little dog, Buddy; brother Charles (Bea) of Utah, sister Norma (Ray) Peterson of Utah, sister Judy Calhoun of Twin Falls; and his children, Brenda of Bliss, Dan of Bellevue and Doug of Twin Falls; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were baby boy Brent; his parents; sister, Dorthey Barry; and two brothers, Bob and Bill. A family get-together will be announced at a later date.




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