James Dugovic

On October 3, 2022, James Arthur Dugovic, 94 years young, passed away peacefully at home in Springville, Utah, surrounded by loved ones.

James “Jim” Arthur Dugovic was born on February 18, 1928, the second child of Frank “Fred” and Ethel May Winn Dugovic in Fresno, California. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1946 and went on to attend Fresno City College. Jim had a close friendship with his cousin Jerry Phillips and as young men, they decided to move to Compton, CA, where they both worked. Being very patriotic and despite the draft having ended, they sold all their possessions including their much loved motorcycles, and enlisted in the United States Army, where Jim served honorably for four years during the Korean War.

After leaving the Army, Jim returned home and married Glenda Decker from 1952-1965. The couple converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and they had three children James II, Cynthia, and Timothy. The family moved to Hanford, CA to live in the home that they designed and built. The home was filled with Early American antiques that the couple had collected from traveling throughout the United States. The home was featured in a magazine spread for American Home in the early 1960’s.

Jim married Mary Lee Simpson in 1972, which added her two daughters to the family, Lee Ann and Jill. The couple went on to have two children of their own Nancy and Kyle. Family was the most important focus and point of pride for Jim, and he managed to make each sibling feel loved and unique. The family lived in several cities including Sanger, Hanford, and Selma where they made lifelong friends along the way. Jim served as coach to many of the kid’s sports teams where they excelled. Over time, most of the children made their way to live in Utah. and it wasn’t long before the couple followed.

Career, hobbies, church service: Jim was always a lifelong learner and loved to share and exchange knowledge with others. He received his degree from College of the Sequoias in Visalia. Always industrious, curious, and willing to put in the work; he excelled in many careers and hobbies. His tenacity was noticed and he was hired at Pacific Gas and Electric. He then moved on to be Manager in the cutting edge field of data processing for Beacon Oil Company. Jim loved being a Manager for the oil company, who were among the early adopters of computer processing, outside of government use. It was at this same time that Jim also earned his private pilot's license and purchased his first airplane. Becoming a pilot opened many new vistas for Jim and he was offered a position to manage a flying club, which turned into two flying clubs in the San Joaquin Valley, one at Lemoore Naval Air Station and the other at Chandler Field in Fresno.

Jim accepted the offer which merged his passion for flying and career onto the same path. This perfect fit allowed him to utilize his natural business skills while also mentoring new pilots and curating the historic War Bird collection at Lemoore Naval Air Station. As an added bonus, he quite enjoyed flying the War Birds... after all, they did need to be flown to keep them in tip top shape. Jim, not being keen on retirement, owned his own pool maintenance company and worked in engineering for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints prior to moving, with his wife Mary Lee, from California to Utah to be closer to family. Once settled, he went on to work in engineering for Phone Directories, where he kept everything running smoothly. He also served a church mission with his wife Mary Lee in the North Carolina- Raleigh Mission (2002-2004) where they influenced many lives. Jim and Mary Lee have lived in Springville for the past 29 years where they could be close to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Hobbies include: classic cars, American antiques, antique clock restoration and repair, pie baking, browsing Facebook and many more.

Jim loved life and it showed, and all who knew him benefitted from being around him. His storytelling was always guaranteed to entertain all who spent time with him. Always humble, kind, loving, and sharp as a tack… he will be deeply missed. There is comfort in knowing he was met by loved ones that preceded him in death that will welcome him into their embrace, including his first born son James Arthur Dugovic II. The conversations have not stopped, they have only changed venue.

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Dugovic, and his children, Cynthia Roberts, Lee Ann (Rod) Cross, Timothy (Gretchen) Dugovic, Jill Gullickson, Nancy (Michael) Torres, and Kyle (Laura) Dugovic. Jim has 22 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Viewing: Friday, October 7, 2022, from 6-8 pm at the Spring Creek Utah County Mortuary, 737 N Main St, Springville, UT.

Services: Saturday, October 8, 2022, Viewing from 9:30-10:30 am with Funeral Services at 11am at the Spring Creek 5th Ward building 860 E 200 N Springville, UT.

Interment will be at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Condolences may be offered at www.springcreekmortuary.com.