Milburn Dougan

Milburn "Mel" Dougan, 97, of Little Rock passed away Thursday, February 27, 2014. He was born January 16, 1917 to David and Mary Alice Dougan in Traskwood, Arkansas. Mel had three brothers and two sisters who proceeded in him in death. His first wife, Pat passed away in 1995 and on August 6, 1999 he married Lois Harris, the love of his life. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and former member of Lynchview Baptist Church of North Little Rock. Milburn was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Big Rock Masonic Lodge #633 in Little Rock and the Scottish Rite.
Mel graduated from Scott High School in 1937 where he played football. During the depression, work was hard to find, so he decided he would "tour" the country. He had many adventures and some "tales" to tell. Around 1940 he moved to California and worked as a Machinist II for F&H Manufacturing, where he worked from 1941 to 1944. He entered the Navy on April 26, 1944. He got training in Basic Engineering and became a Motor Machinist Mate 3c, but he never left the United States. He was sent to Nevada and Idaho, where he guarded highly secret properties of the United States and was discharged December 19, 1946.
He came to Little Rock and graduated from Draughan's Business School. About 1950 he and Frank Troutman formed Troutman and Dougan Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Company. In 1961 John B. May bought their company and Milburn became the General Superintendent. He bought the first ticket on the first Jet from Little Rock to New York. In 1966 he formed Dougan Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning and in 1979 he sold the successful business and retired.
As a retiree, he and Pat traveled the country until Pat passed away. Milburn was an avid gardener and had a garden of about 2 acres.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehab for their exceptional care.
Milburn is survived by his daughter, CareRuth Thiebaud, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; stepdaughter, Glenda Robertson, of Little Rock; sister, Helen Lucas, of Kansas; his grandchildren, Teresa Sutherland; Daniel, William and Jonathan Thiebaud; and Ronnie Robertson; great-grandchildren, Kody, Shelby, Randi, Samuel, Nathan and Claire Thiebaud, Carrie Cooper, Alexandria Hudson, Ceslee Davis, Ryan and Drew Robertson; and great-great-grandchildren, Bentley and Adalyn Davis and Logan Robertson; and several nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, with Brother James Raines officiating. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M., Sunday at North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .