04/30/2026
I'd like to take the time this morning to give a tribute to John Dugan and share with you a little bit about him and why we are so blessed to have had him in our life.
Also for you to know part of the history of one of the original owners family member that made Floyd & Blackies what it is today
John is Kathy's stepfather and one of the original members of the family team of Kathy Ramsey, Greg Ramsey, Erin, Jolly, Chris Jolly. and Kathys mother Chris Dugan that created Floyd & Blackies in 2012. All of us had a role-play to make it all come together. John "Papa John " was our "go to man." anytime we need anything he was there for us.
I can't begin to tell you how many trips back-and-forth to this shop with John at the wheel of his beloved pick up truck. Equipped with a CB radio and a cassette player . I can't tell you how many country songs that man played for me over the years. JOHN knew every word and would sing to every song. John was a well polished musician who was a regular performer at country city in Charlotte back in the day.
If it wasn't country music, then we were listening to gospel music.
He was so in tune with searching that cassette player for another country song for me , that he was oblivious to what was going on outside of that truck. I just reached over and steered us back into the right lane and was his built-in GPS navigator.
he was so oblivious that one time at restaurant depot, and armored car driver was robbed right behind his pick up truck! I came out of the building. I said JOHN did you not see that robbery take place? He said what robbery ? the one right behind you John! He said "oh I was wondering what that man was doing carrying a gun" without missing a beat he would hit the play button on that old cassette player. John would be singing as I was praying that his cell phone would not ring.
He had his flip phone on his belt, stripped underneath his seatbelt, and if that phone ring all hell would break loose in the cab of that truck!
I guess God has a great sense of humor because before I could say "amen " that damn phone would go off! The best way for me to describe this scene is to ask you "Have you ever saw a man being stung by a swarm of yellowjacket? " If you have then that's what it looked. like when that phone rang because he would go into a fit trying to get to that phone. That was my cue to get a hold of the wheel, and I swear to you, it always happens right as we came up on the narrow bridge from Charlotte to Belmont. Then after that fight for that cell phone was over. He would turn down the volume flip the phone open and say hello.. I would hear a faint voice on the other end say "did you get me a biscuit?" and I would mutter under my breath "oh its my mother in law that woman.! " He would flip that phone shut and look over at me and say
"that was Chris she just got up wanted to know ( and we would say it in unison ) if I got her a biscuit"!
Let's rewind that song right quick and hear it again. With the push of the button we would zigzag our way toward Cramerton!
John was a Fan favorite At Jeff Calvert's open mic night here at Floyd & blackies's. He would always yodel at the end of his performance. .
John was a Husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a very, very good friend.
He loved his family and his friends, and John even loved a stranger, & those who had struggles. He loved us all.
I was very blessed to have known and spent time with John. There are so many stories about John I could tell you. I know that many of you have those PaPa JOHN stories too. There will never be another John Dugan, but we all can carry on his legacy and his memory. I encourage you to cherish and share your experience with John every chance you have. I know for sure that it will make life and time with each other more enjoyable and most of all make us a better people. Heres to you PaPa John
Thanks for everything.
And oh by the way, John I've told Jesus not to let you be backing up no trailers or pontoon boats!
A special things to Eddie and his staff at Floyd & blackies for allowing us the opportunity to post this.
