James Ted Pugh

James Ted Pugh, 77, of Biloxi, passed away Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi. He was born in Pike County, Alabama on January 29, 1935, to Addie Bell McClendon Pugh and James McLaughlin Pugh. On January 16, 1953, he married Barbara Ann Lee in Purcell, Oklahoma. Ted attended school in Phenix City, Alabama. In 1952 he joined the US Navy and served for 3 years during the Korean War. Ted joined the US Air Force in 1956. During the Vietnam War, he served the Strategic Air Command in Taiwan, Africa, and Newfoundland. Ted was awarded a Commendation Medal for Outstanding Service during his Taiwan tour. During his military career, Ted was stationed in Norman, Oklahoma; Kingsville, Texas; Lockbourne, Ohio; Stephenville, Newfoundland; Savannah, Georgia; and Biloxi, Mississippi. After 21 years in the Air Force, he retired and made Biloxi his home. In 1972, Ted founded Anchor Appliance Service in Biloxi which he owned and operated for 26 years. Anchor was truly a family business and Ted gave his sons, his grandchildren, and many of their friends their first jobs there. A 32 degree Mason, Ted was a member of Magnolia Lodge #120 in Biloxi, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Joppa Shrine Temple, and the Order of the Eastern Star. For over 40 years he was a member of Victory Temple – Coastland Christian Center – now New Life Family Church - and served on the board for 21 years. Ted also was a Sunday School teacher for many years. An avid supporter of Biloxi High athletics, Ted closely followed the athletic as well as the scholastic endeavors of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, James and Addie Bell Pugh of Phenix City, Alabama, son Eugene Joseph Pugh and daughter-in-law Pamela of Biloxi. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Barbara Lee Pugh of Biloxi; his sons James E. Pugh, Sr. (Janet) and John P. Pugh, Sr. (Lynn), both of Biloxi; his grandchildren Sarah Pugh Gladish (Greg) of Biloxi, James Edwin Pugh, Jr. of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, John P. Pugh II of Raleigh, North Carolina, Emily J. Pugh, Kimberly A. Pugh, Joely M. Pugh, Joshua M. Pugh, Jordan L. Pugh, and Juliann T. Pugh, all of Biloxi; his great-grandchildren Christion Joseph and Nadia Lynne, both of Biloxi; his brothers Tommy Pugh (Jeanette), Terry Pugh (Doris), Travis Pugh (Nancy), and Tillman Pugh (Caroline), all of Phenix City, Alabama; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Sunday December 16, 2012, from 6pm to 8pm at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home in Biloxi. The funeral services will be at 10am Monday December 17, 2012, at New Life Family Church, 362 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, followed by burial at the VA National Cemetery, Biloxi, MS. Pallbearers will be James E. Pugh, Sr., John P. Pugh, Sr., James E. Pugh, Jr., John P. Pugh II, Joshua Pugh, Jordan Pugh, and Greg Gladish. Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home of Biloxi is in charge of all arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com The family would like to express their appreciation for the wonderful care given to Ted by the staffs at Keesler Air Force Base Medical Center, Camellia Home Health, and especially Karla Byrd and Airman Barr.