"Dawn and George Miller Uncle Jimmy you will be missed so much. What a hard worker you have been your whole life and what a testimony to clean living. So proud to have had you as an Great Uncle my dad Dwayne Pugh loved and admired you so much and he learned a lot from you. Rest in Peace"
In loving memory of
James Russell Pugh
February 7, 1916 - July 22, 2020
James "Jimmy" Russell Pugh, age 104, of Morgantown passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.
Jimmy was born February 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 gave willingly and generously of 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 & 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, on Saturday, July 25thfrom 4:00 PM until the time of the funeral service at 7:00 PM which will be officiated Reverend Charles Bowers.
Private interment, with Full Military Honors accorded at his graveside, will take place Sunday, July 26th at 2:00 PM at the Donaldson Cemetery on Fairchance Rd., Cheat Lake. Parking is very limited at the cemetery, and access is difficult.
Pallbearers will include Larry Horton, Jim Thrasher, Randy Martin, 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 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2020 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.
Personal condolences and other symbolic gestures for his family may be left at www.smithfcc.com.
Tributes
"Uncle Jimmy, we loved you and we will miss you. You were a wonderful man and always had a smile and a hug for everyone. We were truly blessed to know you and be part of your extended family through Dave and Carolyn Pugh. Now you really will have your angel wings. Sue and Linda Simons "
" Uncle Jimmy, you were one of a kind with an uncanny ability to fix things and the kindness to help others when they needed your knowledge and help. Sorry we can?t be there to say goodbye but we will be in quarantine until July 28. Rest In Peace. God Bless your family and friends. "
"Sorry to hear of Jimmys passing I will treasure the 30 years I got to hunt with Jimmy at the Rhododendrum Hunting Club"
"So sorry to hear of Jimmy?s passing. We spent many hours around the ?camp fire? talking and laughing. He was a remarkable man and will be truly missed. Gene Iddings, fellow camp member"
"Uncle Jimmy was one of the best. The world has lost a good man. We will miss him and his smile. "
"I was saddened to hear of Jimmy?s passing. I did not know him personally but I know some of his family members. His life was quite remarkable & he was a very honorable man. Sending prayers & condolences to his family."
"Our condolences to the family. It was such a pleasure and an honor to know Jimmy. Enjoyed his annual visit to the Refuge to get his hunting license. He was quite the character. While he will be missed here in the community, we rejoice in his life achievements and salvation. ~Punk and Mary "
"A true loss to the community in Cheat Neck. Rest In Peace Jimmy ?"