James “Jimmy” Russell Pugh, 104, of Morgantown passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.
Jimmy was born Feb. 7, 1916, in Morgantown, one of nine children of the late Frank Cleveland Pugh and the late Minnie (Adams) Pugh.
Survivors include his granddaughters, Wendy Conway and spouse Larry, of Washington state, Brandi Pugh, of Smithfield, Pa., and Jennifer Weaver and spouse Tony, of Morgantown; two great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; two close nephews, David Pugh and spouse Carolyn, of Westover, and Douglas Lanham and spouse Debra, of Cheat Lake; and a sister-in-law, Louella (Hastings) Schlobohm along with her sons, Ross and Gary, and their spouses and children.
In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife Helen (Hastings) Pugh in July of 1989; two sons, Gerald Ray Pugh in 1943 and Marvin Lee Pugh in 2014; and his siblings Wilbur, Ralph Harlan, Silas Robert, Gertrude (Pugh) Lanham, Margaret (Pugh) Brady, Jasper, Johnny Sr. and Donald; making Jimmy the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Jimmy was a charter member of the Northern West Virginia Beagle Club. He worked for most of his life in the coal mines and was an 80 plus-year member of the United Mine Workers Association.
He was both a peace and war-time veteran of the United States Army, having served first from 1936-1939, and again, in World War II, from 1944-1946. He served in the Philippines and was transported on the USS W.G. Haan. He returned from the Philippines at the end of the war and his service on the “Grey Ghost,” Queen Mary, which was one of the fastest troop ships used in World War II.
Jimmy was grandfather, uncle, friend, sage and loved by everyone in his community where he willingly and generously gave his time to do many acts of kindness for his family, friends and neighbors. Jimmy enjoyed the perks of living to his ripe old age of 104, such as his “on the house meals” at his favorite diner Ruby’s and Ketchy’s.
Jimmy’s long and remarkable life and legacy will be honored by his family and friends at Smith Funeral & Cremation Care, 108 Holland Ave., Westover/Morgantown from 4 p.m. Saturday, July 24 until the time of the funeral service at 7 p.m. which will be officiated by the Rev. Charles Bowers.
Private interment, with Full Military Honors accorded at his graveside, will take place at the Donaldson Cemetery on Fairchance Road, Cheat Lake at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 25. Parking is very limited at the cemetery, and access is difficult.
Pallbearers will include Larry Horton, Jim Thrasher, Eldon Fowler, Dick Baker, Mike Simpson and Scott Pifer.
Immediately following the graveside service, his family, friends, and the community are asked to join at the Cheat Lake United Methodist Church on Fairchance Road at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 26, for a dinner in his honor catered by his friends at Ruby’s and Ketchy’s.
Guests in attendance at the funeral home will be required to wear a face mask and practice all recommended social distancing guidelines.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that monetary contributions be made to the Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Cheat Lake United Methodist Church and/or the Donaldson Cemetery.
Condolences:
www.smithfcc.com
