Dugan Yeakel passed away January 8, 2009, from cancer at the age of 66.
Dugan grew up in the fourth house south of the Manhattan Beach Pier in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Dale Velzy at the time lived in a room below the MB Pier, was a major sponge off of the Yeakel family, and became Dugan's surrogate father. There is a picture in a Surfer's Journal of Dale's room, with two kids in front lying in the sand, and Bob Simmons sweeping sand out of the room. Dugan was the first kid. Bobby Beathard, then of El Segundo and later the General Manager of the San Diego Chargers, is the second kid.
I understand that Greg Noll and Bing were friends of Dugan's older brothers.
Jeff Johnson, father of Jack, was Dugan's closest friend in grade school and junior high school.
Dugan remained one of Dale's closest and most loyal friends. I understand Dugan and Donald Takayama were the two of most help to Fran and Dale's son when Dale passed.
Dugan surfed daily at Grandview, Leucadia.
Rest in peace Dugan. We love you.
Rory Wicks |