James Ronald Pugh

James “Ron” Pugh January 25, 1943 - February 11, 2024 On February 11, 2024, Ron Pugh peacefully left behind his earthly vessel to be with Jesus and his wife, Viriginia of 47 years. Ron was born in Tahlequah to James K. Pugh and Opal S. Pugh. He graduated from Muskogee Central High School with the class of 1961. In 1962, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Army and went on to honorably complete his service in 1968. In the spring of 1972 he married his sweetheart, Virginia Burlison in Chandler, Oklahoma. Ron was a loving husband and father and raised her children as his own. Ron was a bus driver for Continental Trailways for nearly a decade. He had become a favorite charter driver. Groups would often request him, some even giving him the nickname “Cannon” because he resembled William Conrad who played Frank Cannon on the TV show "Cannon”. In 1987 Ron went to work for Fort Howard Paper Mill in Muskogee and retired from there in 1999 when it was named Fort James. In the early 1990’s, Ron surrendered to preach. In May of 1998 he became the pastor of Port City Missionary Baptist Church in Catoosa, Oklahoma. The church was later renamed Pine Street Baptist Church. In his quest for knowledge, Ron attended Bacone College, Northeastern State University, and Oklahoma Baptist University where he obtained a degree in religious studies. Fishing was one of Ron’s favorite hobbies. He had been a member of the oldest bass club in the nation. Among other interests, he always had a love for motorcycles, especially Harley Davidson. Being that he spent most of his life in Muskogee, he was a huge Rougher fan. God granted him time to be able to watch the Roughers win their first gold ball in 37 years. Having a great grandson on the team was the cherry on top. Ron had many nicknames and one nickname that most know him by is “Pa Pa”. That’s because if you ever had a chance to sit and visit for any length of time, he became your Pa Pa too. Ron is survived by his son, Roger Pugh and wife Tiffany; daughter, Rhonda Morrison and husband Kenny; grandchildren, Jared Pugh, Brittney Kemerley and husband Chad, Jason Henry, Brent Henry and wife Katie, Brandy Howard, and Andrea McHugh; he also leaves behind a host of great-grandchildren, several nieces and several nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Opal Pugh; his wife, Virginia Pugh; and his son, Mark Stevens. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be made to the Alzheimer Association at: https://www.alz.org/oklahoma or by mail at: 6660 S Sheridan Rd Ste 202 Tulsa, OK 74133. A celebration of Ron’s life will be 10AM, Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Ash Street Baptist Church with Merritt Youngdeer officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery with Jared Pugh, Jason Henry, Brent Henry, Braydn Henry, Tanner Lusti and Dewain Doughty serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Rosson, Chad Kemerley and Larry Kennedy.