Dr. Henry L. Dugat, Sr. age 77, passed away Thursday December 28, 2017 at his home in Liberty, Texas. Henry was born June 15, 1940 in Dayton, Texas the son of the late Johnny Dugat Sr. and Catherine Hults Dugat Rundless. Henry is many things in South Liberty County. He is an inspiration … a living example of doing right things, teaching children well, loving your spouse and living life to the fullest. He smiles. He enjoys people. He gives. He plays his music. He prays. He keeps going. He has played for occasions from weddings to funerals. He has seen it all. He married his childhood friend, high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Bennie, May 21, 1960. Bennie and Henry met in the fifth grade and have been inseperable ever since.  Henry graduated from Liberty Training School in 1958 and began studies at Texas Southern University, where he studied music and psychology. He went on to obtain his theological degrees from the United Christian Theological Institute and the Mt. Zion Travelers Seminary. Henry has played or has been involved in most every Church in the Liberty Area.

He last worked at Allison Funeral Service as an Ambassador, as well as worked as an Administrative Assistant at Wells Mortuary, Liberty; Founder Sickle Cell Foundation of Galveston; Project Director at Prairie View A&M University at Liberty; Project Director at Lamar University of Liberty. He has chaired the Liberty County MLK Celebration Committee for the past 20 years. Henry’s first assignment was June 4, 1953 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church of Dayton, Texas, under the leadership of Pastor J. W. Brent. Lifetime Pleasant Hill church member Lois Pruitt who was the honoree at the 2016 MLK Celebration recalled that when Henry was hired at Pleasant Hill to play music, he knew only two songs. Well, Henry can play just about anything he chooses now, and he does. When he sits at the piano keyboard, he goes somewhere. He shuts his eyes and his fingers dance on the keys. He has complete command his music. He is a joy to watch.

His honors have included: Minister of Music Day January 2, 1998 proclaimed by Dayton Mayor Guy L. Harris; Henry Lloyd Dugat, Sr. Day Feb. 3, 1998 proclaimed by U. S. Senator Phil Gramm; Recognition honors Feb. 9, 1998 by U. S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and State Senator Michael Galloway, District 4; Lt. Governor Bob Bullock. The Most Rev. Joseph A. Galante, S.V.D., D.D, who at that time was the Bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont, praised his continued ministry. Liberty Mayor Paul J. Henry proclaimed Jan. 4, 1998 “Henry L. Dugat, Sr. Day” for his outstanding dedication to the people of Liberty. Liberty County Judge Lloyd Kirkham followed suit and proclaimed Henry L. Dugat, Sr. Day. He was congratulated by then President Bill Clinton and Texas Governor George W. Bush. The Dugats were honored on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives by Representative Alma Allen (Dist. 131) and State Rep. John Otto (Dist. 18), upon their 53rd wedding anniversary (2013) with House Resolution 2153.

Henry’s church affiliations are many: Los Angeles Bible Institution of The National Baptist Convention of America; Minister of Music ~ Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Dayton, Texas; Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Dayton; Trinity Valley Baptist Church of Liberty, Texas; St. John Baptist Church, Liberty; St. Miles Baptist Church of Ames, Texas; First Six Street Baptist Church of Port Arthur; Jerusalem Baptist Church of Galveston; Blue Ridge Baptist Church of Houston; Holy Rosary Catholic Church of Galveston; Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Raywood, Texas; Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Liberty; Knights of Peter Claver Council 83 of Raywood; Adam Semien Assembly #8 Fourth Degree, Knights of Peter Claver, Beaumont; Knights of Columbus Council, Liberty; Trinity Valley District Association of Texas; Southern District Baptist Association of Texas; Synod Delegate Immaculate Conception, Liberty; Liberty County Historical Commission of Liberty County; Chaplain Committee Henley Unit, Dayton; National Baptist Convention of America, Organist; Shiloh District Association of Texas; Lone Star District Association of Texas; Trinity Valley Singing Convention; and Lily of the Valley Baptist Church.

                Henry is preceded in death by his parents as well as his sisters Rosie Lee Walls, Erma Dee Mosley, and Myrtle G. Freeman, brothers Johnnie Dugat Jr., James Dugat Sr., and Freddie A. Rundless.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife Bennie Lee Dugat, his five grown children: Cynthia Mosley (and husband Rev. Amos Mosley), Daphne Dickerson, Christopher Dugat (and wife Angelique Dugat), Alonzo Emmanuel Dugat (and wife Betty Dugat) and Henry Lloyd Dugat, Jr. (and wife Gladys Dugat). In addition he leaves his sister Mary Lee Mosley, twenty-three grandchildren and twenty-six  great-grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

                Services are pending under the direction of Allison Funeral Service, 1101 N. Travis Liberty, Texas

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