Donald D'Lugos

Donald A. D’Lugos, age 94 passed away peacefully on December 18, 2020 in Pensacola.  Donald had been a resident of the Arbors in Gulf Breeze for the past two and a half years.  Donald was born at the family home in Pensacola on February 7, 1926.  He was the son of Winnie Chapron D’Lugos and Stephen J. D’Lugos.  He was a 1943 graduate of Pensacola High School.

With the exception of a couple of years In New Orleans as a young boy and his two years away in the service in the Army Air Corp during World War II, Donald was a lifelong Pensacola/Gulf Breeze resident.  During World War II served as a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber in the 466th Bomb Group, flying 15 combat missions in the European theatre over Germany.

After returning to the US after WW II he married his high school sweetheart, Madge Sanders, on November 24, 1945.  They were married 66 years until her death on September 2, 2012.  They lived in Warrington until 1967.  They were founding members of St. Thomas More Catholic Church where they served in many leadership roles.  In 1967 they moved to Gulf Breeze where they were active members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church for many years.

Upon returning from WW II service, Donald entered the Aviation Mechanics Apprentice Program at the Naval Air Station Pensacola.  In forty two years of civil service, he advanced from apprentice to Director of the Dynamics Components and Avionics Divisions.  His knowledge of military aircraft was extensive.

Donald was active in coaching and organizing youth sports in both the Warrington and Gulf Breeze communities.  He was an avid tennis player, participating in many leagues and winning many tournaments in the Pensacola area.

He is survived by a daughter, Linda Hitpas of Tampa Florida and son Michael (Martha) of Hilton Head Island, SC and sister, Edie (Bob) Davis of Gulf Breeze, FL.  Three grandsons, two granddaughters and fourteen great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at the Arbors and Emerald Coast Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Research Hospital and The Little Sisters of the Poor in Mobile, AL.

Visitation will be from 10:30am, until the Mass of Christian Burial begins at 11:00am, Tuesday, January 12, 2020 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 100 Daniel Drive, Gulf Breeze FL 32562.  A funeral cortege will line up at 10:15am, Wednesday, January 13, 2020 at Olive Baptist Church-Warrington Campus, 103 W. Winthrop St., Pensacola FL 32507 and will depart promptly at 10:30am for the interment at Barrancas National Cemetery.