Byron Keith Dugger

Byron Keith Dugger was born June 15, 1974, in Exeter, Calif., to Carol (Dugger) Johnston, and passed away April 19, 2024, at his home in Lexington at the age of 49. Byron had a few jobs in his short life. He worked construction, washed trucks and trailers, was a welder at the steel plant in Mansfield, and spent a few years working at a tire shop. The last few years of his life he was a cabinet builder. Byron married the love of his life, Shyola, on June 15, 2020. Byron loved his kids. He spent a couple of hours each night with his daughter in her room working on various projects. He was teaching her to use tools. One of their latest projects was a bookshelf for her room. He enjoyed spending a lot of time at the creek with his son. He liked fishing, swimming, floating and arrowhead hunting. He had accumulated quite an extensive collection which he was very proud of. He also enjoyed going four-wheeling and driving the backroads. Byron loved to cook for family and friends at get-togethers. When his dad bought a pulling truck and tractor, Byron never missed a pull, helping his dad. They spent countless hours at the shop working on them between pulling events. Their dedication paid off several times over the years as they won first and second place at numerous events. The first-place finish they were most proud of was won at the state fair in Springfield. Byron’s all-time favorite pulling events were the times his dad let him drive. Byron will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. “We love you to the moon and back.”
Byron was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harry Dugger and Lois (Gann) Dugger; two uncles, Gary Dugger and Dale Dugger; one aunt, Brenda Howard; and two fathers-in-law, Gary Holman and Randy Joe Sigman. Byron is survived by his wife, Shyola (Snelson) Dugger, of the home; one daughter, Natalia Dugger, of the home; one son, Chase Dugger (Madison Henry), of Raymondville; four grandchildren, Jess, Violet, Skarlett and Braxton (due in July of 2024); his parents, Jerry and Carol (Dugger) Johnston, of Mountain Grove; one sister, Christina Robertson and husband, David, of Mountain Grove; three brothers, Jerry Scott Johnston and wife, Belinda, of Coolidge, Ariz.; Brian Johnston, of Mountain Grove; and Jason Johnston, of Cabool; mother-in-law, Lisa Sigman, of Smithville; two brothers-in-law, Tye Snelson and wife, Kassie, of Smithville, and Zebb Snelson and wife, Lauren, of Kansas City; several nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. The family is planning a private ceremony at a later date.