LINDA JEAN FELIZ DUGAN

Born February 27, 1955 in Bakersfield, California

Sunset March 9, 2024 at Loma Linda University

 Linda was one of the 15 children born to Fred and Charlotte Feliz of Bakersfield, California, of Native American descent.

 Linda previously resided in Tulare County, Texas and moved back to Bakersfield.

 She wed her late husband, Lester Dugan. Together they had daughters, Lenore and Charlotte, and a son Lester Lee, Jr. 

 Linda was a fair-weathered, happy go lucky, one of a kind lady.  Linda always brought laughter to whoever was around her, a friendly, kind, loving person.   Linda’s enjoyments in life were going to concerts, bus rides, listening to her country music, spending time with her good friend, Mel, and she couldn’t wait for the fair to come to town so she and Charmaine could go and enjoy all the fair had to offer. The little girl in Linda would come out at the Kern County Fair – the food, the games, Cotton Candy, and she loved her Dr. Pepper.  I can still see the excitement and hear her laugh, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her companion, James Drew.

 Linda was the little girl who never grew up and had such a lust for life.  She faced all the obstacles that came her way and never complained.  She loved her family, and although they were estranged, she loved and yearned for them always. I once asked Linda who was the love of her life, and she responded, Lester Lee, and that was from her heart.

 Linda knew her Saviour – and was a praying person who knew God and was baptized by her husband, Lester.

 Linda is survived by her daughter Lenore and son-in-law Gene Hicks, their children, David Arzola Jr, Devin, Dashad, and Lorese Hicks, daughter, Charlotte and husband Gabriel Solorzano, their sons, Gabriel, Jr, Nikolai, and Ivan Solorzano. Her surviving sisters are Charlene Fernandez, Shirley Martinez, and Josephine Feliz, brothers, Phillip Hernandez, Adolph and Gerald Feliz, numerous nieces and nephews; special sister-in-law, Charmaine Feliz, and family, Robert Salazar, Cecelia, Mari, Joseph, Vicente, Marcelina and Richie; beloved companion of nine years,  James Drew; and good friend, Melody.

 Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Charlotte and Fred Feliz, brothers Charles Hernandez, Fred Feliz, Jr, Ronald, Joseph and Theodore Feliz; sisters, Phylis Andres, Mary Ann and Freda Feliz.

 Pallbearers will be grandson, David Arzola Jr, nephews, Fernando Feliz, Freddy Martinez, Paul Salinas, Fred Feliz, IV, and niece, Melinda Salinas. Honorary pallbearers will be nephew, Robert Salazar, grandson, Devin Hicks,  and son, Lester Dugan Jr. 

 Linda’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Loma Linda Hospital – the pastor who prayed with us, and the staff who offered such kindness and hospitality, and to Linda’s niece, Melinda, for all her help with photographs.

 Visitation is scheduled Thursday, April 25^th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Doughty-Calhoun-O’Meara.  Graveside services will be held Friday, April 26^th at 11:30 a.m. at Union Cemetery.