CRESTVIEW — Katy and Thomas Dugan are celebrating their 50th anniversary this month.
The couple met in 1964 and married June 9, 1966.
WAITING ON A WOMAN
Here’s how it all began: Thomas moved to Eglin Air Force Base from Indianapolis, Ind., and attended a service at Katy’s church, now the Airport Road Church of Christ, in Crestview.
"They used to tell guys in orientation (on Eglin), 'Don't go to Crestview; all those girls there are looking to get married!"
Apparently, "those girls there" weren't by themselves.
"I asked her dad if I could marry her about six months after we met," Thomas Dugan said. "He said no, she had to graduate from high school."
Thomas waited two years for the privilege of marrying Katy Owen. They were engaged the whole time.
‘I WAS ‘FRESH MEAT’’
Thomas said, "She graduated Tuesday night in CHS. The church Bible study was Wednesday night … and we got married Thursday."
Katy's take on the situation? "I was 'fresh meat,' she said."
Thomas Dugan retired from the U.S. Air Force as a captain. Katy Dugan provided clerical services at Okaloosa Memorial Hospital and was one of the first dispatchers for its ambulance service. Her last job was as a clerical staffer at the Okaloosa Health Department in Crestview.
The couple has two daughters, Ruth Wise and Rebecca Sweet, both of Crestview, and a son, Daniel Dugan of Pensacola.
Their grandchildren are Elizabeth Badger and Shelby Martin.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview couple celebrates 50 years together