Obituary for Donald Uggen
Donald Stuart Uggen Jr., 85, passed away on December 1, 2022, in Lafayette, LA surrounded by his loving grandchildren. Don was a beloved husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, entrepreneur, mentor and friend.
Services to celebrate Don’s life will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church, Thibodaux, LA on Saturday, December 10, 2022 with a visitation starting at 9:00 AM until service time. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM at the church.
Don is survived by his sister, Diana Uggen Harris and her husband B.C. (Carroll) Harris; his sister, Kathy; stepsister, Karen Breier; stepbrother, Gale Breier; son, Craig Uggen; grandson, Christopher Uggen, and his children, Evan, Gavin and Lincoln Uggen; granddaughter, April Uggen, and her children Felix, Keyli and Torin Gonzales; grandson, Stephen Uggen, and his children Alias and Novalyn Uggen; grandson, Craig Uggen, Jr., and his son Murdock Uggen; and grandson, Kriss Uggen.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Novalyn Hingle Uggen; sons, Keith and Kriss Uggen; twin siblings, Frank and Frances Uggen Albarez Ray; parents, Donald S. Uggen, Sr., and Leah Norden Uggen; stepmother, Hazel Breier Uggen; and stepbrother Harvey Breier.
Don was born in Billings, MT on October 17, 1937 and grew up in Baton Rouge, LA. At the age of 18, he joined the United States Air Force, during which time he married the love of his life, Novalyn Hingle. The two wed in June of 1957. After being stationed in England, the couple returned stateside to settle in Thibodaux, LA where they raised a family of three sons — Keith, Craig, and Kriss Uggen — and lived out the rest of their 52-year marriage before Novalyn’s passing
in 2009.
Following his service, Don established a chain of 13 tire stores, along with a tire retreading plant, and an automotive battery manufacturing plant with his beloved younger brother, Frank Uggen. His dedication to family and business interests allowed Novalyn and his mother-in-law, Marguerite Hingle, to travel the world experiencing what most could only dream while he stayed behind to steadfastly grow their livelihood. A lifelong serial entrepreneur, he retired twice only to be drawn back in by the allure of the tire industry before retiring for a third and final time at the age of 82. Don was also a pillar of the Alcoholics Anonymous community in Thibodaux for more than 40 years, acting as a sponsor and inspiration to many.
Don relocated to Lafayette in 2021 to be near his adoring grandchildren. He spent his remaining time playing Bourrée, telling stories of days gone by and brightening the faces of all he met at Courtyard Manor Assisted Living. As a father and husband, Don was a beacon of strength to all those needing support. He was the lighthouse of his family, guiding them to safety during times of hardship as they endured, most notably the untimely deaths of his sons Keith and Kriss, a house fire that saw his family’s home reduced to ashes, and the loss of his beloved wife and mother-in-law. For those lucky enough to call him Paw Paw, he was a source of whimsical adventure, silly songs, magical tales, and generosity, but above all else he displayed limitless and unyielding love. Don lived a beautiful life, loved his family, served his community, and will continue to live on through the lives of all those he leaves behind.
Ordoyne Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Services to celebrate Don’s life will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church, Thibodaux, LA on Saturday, December 10, 2022 with a visitation starting at 9:00 AM until service time. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM at the church.
Don is survived by his sister, Diana Uggen Harris and her husband B.C. (Carroll) Harris; his sister, Kathy; stepsister, Karen Breier; stepbrother, Gale Breier; son, Craig Uggen; grandson, Christopher Uggen, and his children, Evan, Gavin and Lincoln Uggen; granddaughter, April Uggen, and her children Felix, Keyli and Torin Gonzales; grandson, Stephen Uggen, and his children Alias and Novalyn Uggen; grandson, Craig Uggen, Jr., and his son Murdock Uggen; and grandson, Kriss Uggen.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Novalyn Hingle Uggen; sons, Keith and Kriss Uggen; twin siblings, Frank and Frances Uggen Albarez Ray; parents, Donald S. Uggen, Sr., and Leah Norden Uggen; stepmother, Hazel Breier Uggen; and stepbrother Harvey Breier.
Don was born in Billings, MT on October 17, 1937 and grew up in Baton Rouge, LA. At the age of 18, he joined the United States Air Force, during which time he married the love of his life, Novalyn Hingle. The two wed in June of 1957. After being stationed in England, the couple returned stateside to settle in Thibodaux, LA where they raised a family of three sons — Keith, Craig, and Kriss Uggen — and lived out the rest of their 52-year marriage before Novalyn’s passing
in 2009.
Following his service, Don established a chain of 13 tire stores, along with a tire retreading plant, and an automotive battery manufacturing plant with his beloved younger brother, Frank Uggen. His dedication to family and business interests allowed Novalyn and his mother-in-law, Marguerite Hingle, to travel the world experiencing what most could only dream while he stayed behind to steadfastly grow their livelihood. A lifelong serial entrepreneur, he retired twice only to be drawn back in by the allure of the tire industry before retiring for a third and final time at the age of 82. Don was also a pillar of the Alcoholics Anonymous community in Thibodaux for more than 40 years, acting as a sponsor and inspiration to many.
Don relocated to Lafayette in 2021 to be near his adoring grandchildren. He spent his remaining time playing Bourrée, telling stories of days gone by and brightening the faces of all he met at Courtyard Manor Assisted Living. As a father and husband, Don was a beacon of strength to all those needing support. He was the lighthouse of his family, guiding them to safety during times of hardship as they endured, most notably the untimely deaths of his sons Keith and Kriss, a house fire that saw his family’s home reduced to ashes, and the loss of his beloved wife and mother-in-law. For those lucky enough to call him Paw Paw, he was a source of whimsical adventure, silly songs, magical tales, and generosity, but above all else he displayed limitless and unyielding love. Don lived a beautiful life, loved his family, served his community, and will continue to live on through the lives of all those he leaves behind.
Ordoyne Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.