Family, friends and neighbors of a Grand Lake man who drowned Sunday in the Calcasieu River near Kinder are working to help support his family following the accident.

Joseph “Joey” Dugas, 43, was boating and swimming with family on the Calcasieu River when he was pulled under by a current. Several people tried to rescue him, but couldn’t reach him before he went under, authorities said.

“We were out there with my sister and nephew to just go relax and swim,” Dugas’ wife, Penni, told the American Press on Wednesday. “He was fine and all of a sudden he just went under and didn’t come back up. It was just a freak accident and a current took him under.”

She said her husband, who was a chemical plant operator at Southern Ionics in Calcasieu Parish, knew how to swim and loved hunting, fishing and boating.

Neighbor Anita Kingham is among those who launched a GoFundMe account with the initial goal of $15,000 to help cover the funeral and emergency costs associated with the accident. As of Wednesday, the fundraiser has surpassed $17,900.

“Those who knew him, know he had a beloved servant’s heart for everyone,” Kingham wrote on the GoFundMe page. “He especially loved his wife and two kids.”

Kingham said Dugas was “such a giver” and now the community has the chance to give back to his family in their time of grief.

Penni Dugas said she has been overwhelmed with the outpour of support from the community. 

“I never realized this many people loved us,” she said. “It’s amazing to see how many people have shown up to support us and for that I appreciate them.”

“We were always helping others so this is totally different,” she continued. “I still feel like I should be doing stuff for people, not them doing stuff for me.”

She said Dugas was always there to help anyone who needed it especially his family, friends and the elderly whether it was bringing them homemade sausage or helping with things around the house.

“My parents are in their 80s and he was always there for them,” she said. “If my Dad couldn’t work the remote he was there for him. If my Dad couldn’t start his mower, we were over there.”

“And anytime a neighbor called we were over there trying to fix whatever needed to be fixed,” she continued. “He would just help anybody. It didn’t matter who you were.”

Penni and Joey Dugas were married for 20 years and have a 13-year-old son, Kohen, and an 18-year-old daughter, Zoiee.

“He was an amazing Dad, not to just our kids, but their friends,” Penni said. “He would help anybody. It didn’t matter who you were. He was willing to help.”

Penni said her husband was also a practical joker who was always pulling pranks on his family and co-workers.

Penni’s nephew, Collise Dupont, said Joey was someone who was always willing to lend a hand.

“There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her mom and dad, my grandparents, and nothing he wouldn’t do for the immediate family,” Dupont said. “He was somebody you could call and he was going to be there and helping you no matter what.”

He has seen a revolving door of people coming in since Sunday supporting the family and sharing their stories about Joey.

“I know personally whenever I needed a place to stay when I was younger and in high school and college going through tough times Joey was always very supportive and he didn’t have to be because he wasn’t related to me by blood,” Dupont said.

“He was genuinely one of the nicest people I knew,” Dupont continued. “He loved to laugh and had the goofiest laugh I ever heard….He would do anything for anyone. He loved life and loved his family. “

To donate, go to: www.gofundme.com/f/assist-the-dugas-family-in-their-time-of-need