Donald Lugar

Donald Allen “Donnie” Lugar, age 81, of 210 Chapel Drive, Covington, Virginia died on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia.

Donnie was born on February 9, 1945 in Covington to the late Kermitt Elwood Lugar and Hattie Belle Vance Lugar. He was a retired United States Army Sergeant First Class, serving as mechanic and computer tech. He was also former owner of Lugar’s Taxi, LLC and Lugar Family Auto. He loved dirt track racing and was well known at the Natural Bridge Speedway.

In addition to his parents, Donnie was preceded in death by a sister, Irene “Sissy” Gray and special friends, Denny Pence and Rick Umberger.

He is survived by his wife, Melanie “Gaye” Caldwell Lugar of Covington; a daughter, Angela Lugar of Roanoke; a sister, Carolyn Belle Lugar of Covington; two brothers, Darrell Lugar and Kermitt Lugar, Jr., both of Covington; a granddaughter, Jessica Steinruck; a number of nieces and nephews; and his cats, Lillie, Foots, and Peeney.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Mr. Chris Fisher officiating. Following the service, his body will be cremated. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Nicely Funeral Home.

To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com