Remembering Ronny Dumigan : 1950 - 1978
Submitted by Joe Doughty






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     Ronald Glen was born November 18, 1950 at Baton Rouge general
Hospital the second son of Jim and Doris Dumigan.  He spent his young
years at the family home on Byron Street in North Baton Rouge.
A happy, active youngster he followed his older brother, Jim and his
buddies everywhere, he was allowed.  They were very patient with him
teaching him the basic skills of sports.
     The majority of their recreation time was spent outdoors, playing
football, basketball or baseball.
     He began elementary school at Delmont, 3 months before his 6th
Birthday.  He was so short he had difficulty getting up to the high step
to board the bus.  The driver tagged him "Peanut."
     Eager to learn and uncommonly strong for a 7 year old, Jim and the
neighborhood boys had him ready to play in a Catholic Youth Organization
Morning league.  The next summer he played catcher on his brother's 9-12
Church team although he was only 8.  He was excited to be allowed to
play with the "big boys".
     Having boundless energy Ronny found it difficult to sit still for any
period of time, consequently there was considerable procrastination
pertaining to studying lessons.  Even after much encouragement and
coaxing the grades were only slightly above average.  However, at 11
years he played a mean game of chess.  Ask Cousin Reba.  
     At age 12 the family moved to Landwood Drive in the Central section of
Baton Rouge.  That summer Ronny played catcher on the Catholic Youth
Organization league team, winning the City Championship and was awarded
the Most Valuable player.  
     He attended Westdale Jr. High, served as 8th grade class president, yet
was dismissed from the Choir for clowning.  He lettered in football and
basketball at Westdale.
     At Baton Rouge High he lettered in three sports; he played defensive
back and punted in football, catcher and outfielder in baseball and
guard on the basketball team.  He played second team guard his junior
year, the team winning the State Championship.
     Ronny was quite the Charmer, enjoying every moment of life to its
fullest.  He and his brother were a Natural Comic duo providing many
entertaining moments at home.
     The summer after graduation Ronny took Junior and Senior lifesaving
courses, later taking a job as lifeguard at the Goodwood Homesites
swimming pool.  He was also on the swimming team and played on a summer
league baseball team.
     In the fall he began classes at LSU commuting from home.  In his
freshman year he began dating a lovely young lady, a fellow student,
Debby Miles.  early into his junior year they were married.  At this
time Ronny was employed part time at WBRZ television station and
attending classes as time permitted.
     In 1972 a son Ronald Matthew was born.  With the responsibility of
family and full time employment Ronny applied and was accepted at the
Baton Rouge City Police Department.  He attended the Police Academy,
graduating first in his class in both scholastics and pistol
marksmanship.  Although through the years his Dad had strongly
discouraged his sons against a law enforcement career, Ronny seemed to
have found his niche in Police Work, changing his Major from Business
Administration to Criminal Justice.  He found the Criminology subjects
fascinating.  In December 1974 he graduated LSU with a B.S. in Criminal
Justice.
     Early in 1975 after learning another child was expected, Ronny was
offered a job a Manager of Rubensteins Department Store.  And although
he found law enforcement both interesting and rewarding, the offer was
too attractive to decline.
     In March, 1976 a daughter Kelly Wynn was born.  Ronny was proud of his
children and enjoyed spending time with them.
     In the spring of 1978 Ronny once again made a change in employment to
go to work at Ethel Corporation where opportunities for the future
seemed bright.
     However this was not to be, as Ronny's young life was cut short by a
gunmans bullet as he and his brother sat in their automobile on a city
street in New Orleans.  They had arrived in the city a short time before
and were waiting for friends having made plans to attend the Sugar Bowl
game.
     Ronny died December 31, 1978. He was a member of Sherwood Baptist
Church.  The funeral service was officiated by Rev. Charles Morris and
Dr. Gerald Richardson.  Internment was in Greenoaks Memorial Park in
Baton Rouge.

     Written by: Dorris Dumigan, Ronny's mother

     Submitted by: Joe Doughty, Ronny's first Cousin        
doughty1@iamerica.net