James E Pugh March 28, 1945 - February 17, 2020

James Pugh, of Olive Branch, formerly of Clarendon, died at the age of 74. He was born to Marlys Romunder and Clarence Edward Pugh. He was the youngest of three children. His family moved to Greenville, Mississippi. After graduation from high school he went on to earn his business degree from Mississippi State University. When he finished with his degree, he joined the United States Air Force where he received pilot instruction and became a pilot, flying C-130s and AC-130s, serving in South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia for a year.

Following honorable discharge, he earned his credentials to pilot a crop duster and that was his plan, but Virginia didn’t agree. Instead he went to work with Farm Credit System for 14 years. He then moved on to organize Ag-Related Services, which specialized in real estate appraisals, and this was were he stayed until retirement.

He enjoyed flying throughout his life and owned his own airplane which he flew all over the country with his family, friends, and German Shepherds until Parkinson’s disease grounded him.

While blessed with good health, Jim enjoyed traveling in his RV, playing golf, singing in the choir at church, playing jokes on others, and eating every sweet he could get his hands on. We will miss him and his smile here on earth, but are happy to know he is healthy, happy and singing in heaven.

He was preceded in death by: his parents and his brother, Bob Pugh. He is survived by: his wife, Virginia, of Olive Branch, Mississippi; his son, Kenneth Pugh, of Louisville, Kentucky; his daughter, Stacie Anderson, of Hernando, Mississippi; 2 grandchildren: Kaitlyn Anderson, and Brayden Anderson; sister, Sharon Laney, of Water Valley, Mississippi; and a host of extended family and friends.

Services that were arranged by Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home in Brinkley were held on February 21, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Brinkley, and he was then laid to rest at Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon.