Jesse James Dugan

DRAPER - Jesse James Dugan, 33, Draper, died Friday, April 23, 2010, in a farming accident. Jesse was born Dec. 24, 1976, in Pierre to Karla Hedman. Karla then married Jack Dugan, who adopted Jesse. They moved to Bozeman, Mont., where Jesse attended school until moving to Stillwater, Okla., where he graduated from high school in 1995. During high school, Jesse spent summers working with his Grandpa Bud and his Uncle Kirby on the family farm in Hayes. After graduating, he began working full-time for his biological father, Carl Mathews, as a ranch hand. He then spent several years at Blue Bell Stables in Custer State Park as a trail guide before moving to Patagonia, Ariz., to work on the Circle Z Guest Ranch as a wrangler. While at the Circle Z, he met and married Tarra Hutchison on Dec. 12, 2001. Their first child, Chance James, was born Feb 15, 2003. After moving to South Dakota, Jesse and Tarra had two more children, Jolie Catherine, born Feb. 15, 2005, and Cole Augustus, born Oct. 26, 2007. Jesse worked for the Miller-Mathews ranch from the time he returned to S.D. until his death. Jesse was truly a jack-of-all-trades. He was an accomplished horseman and a good farrier. He took pride in his welding skills and could fix just about anything. He could build miles of fence faster and straighter than most. He liked to hunt pheasant and enjoyed making custom chinks and chaps. Although he was good at all aspects of his job, he most loved working cows, calving and branding. He was well-known for his work ethic and willingness to get the job done, no matter what it took. Jesse had many talents and many skills, but he believed his greatest accomplishment was being a father. He could often be heard telling a funny story about one of the kids or bragging about their achievements. He liked to have them ride in the tractors and combines with him, patiently took them fishing when he could and was known to climb trees just for their entertainment. He was the best kind of dad - proud, patient and playful. Jesse is survived by his wife, Tarra; his three children, Chance, Jolie and Cole; his loyal companions, Cinch and Hollywood; his mother, Karla Hedman; his fathers, Jack Dugan and Carl Mathews; his brothers, Jackson Dugan, Jake Mathews and Josh Mathews; his sister, Pauline Mathews; his nephew, Celton McKenzie; his grandparents, Bud and Mary Hedman, Mary Jane Dugan, Marlynrae Mathews, and Gerald and Wanda Mathews; as well as many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. His was preceded in death by his brother, Zachariah Gage, and his grandfather, Babe Dugan. A Prayer Service will be at 6 p.m. CDT today at Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. CDT Wednesday, April 28, at the Murdo Auditorium. Isburg Funeral Chapel of Pierre has been placed in care of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.isburgfuneralchapels.com