PORTLAND – George L. Pugh, Sr., 82, of Portland, died Saturday, July
25, 2015 at Arkansas Hospice in Little Rock. He was a native and
lifelong resident of Portland. He graduated from the Baylor School (a
military boarding school) in Chattanooga, Tenn. in 1952.
In the fall of 1952, he entered the University of Arkansas at
Fayetteville where he was a member Sigma Chi Fraternity. He graduated
from the University of Arkansas in 1956 and was a lifelong avid
Razorback fan. He was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was a
farmer and business man. He served as the President of GPS Gin, Inc.
and was instrumental in getting the new Cotton Gin built. He served as
a Director on the Arkansas Rural Endowment Fund Board, the Agriculture
Council of Arkansas, Cotton Incorporated Board, and the National
Cotton Council.
He was featured in the March 1987 issue of Cotton Grower Magazine. He
was a former State Senator for the Arkansas Legislature and he served
as a Director of Delta Trust and Bank. He was a member of the
Portland United Methodist Church and served as the church treasurer.
He enjoyed duck and turkey hunting, fishing and golf.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Augustus (Gus) and
Evelyn Newman Pugh and a brother, Robert Augustus (Buddy) Pugh, Jr.,
in 1936.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Benton Pugh of Portland; his children,
Rebecca Newman Pugh and husband, Dean Jabs, of Bethesda, Md., Susie
Pugh Tackett and husband, Jim, of Greenwood, Miss., George Leyden
Pugh, Jr. and wife, Jan, of Lake Village, Talbot Benton, III and wife,
Rebecca, of Little Rock and Catherine Ann Benton Welch and husband,
Jim of Hinsdale, Ill.; two brothers, Thomas (Tom) Pugh of Little Rock
and Augustus (Bubba) Pugh of Lake Village; 12 grandchildren, Miles
Hogan, Allie Hogan, Addison Pugh, Ansley Pugh, Georgia Pugh, Hilary
Jabs, Connor Jabs, Wren Jabs, Henry Benton, Annabelle Benton, Hardy
Welch and Elliot Welch; two nephews, Thomas Robert Pugh, Jr. of Little
Rock and Frank Augustus Pugh of Portland.
The family would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses at the St.
Vincent SICU, Arkansas Urology and CARTI in Little Rock for their love
and care.
Funeral services are 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at the Portland
United Methodist Church with Rev. Terrie Lynn Bunnell, Rev. Deborah
Head and Dr. Herb Barks officiating.
Burial will be in the Portland Cemetery with military honors.
Pallbearers are Phillip Privett, Troy Lee Brown, Don Arensman, Gary
Morgan, Allen Chandler, Stevie Hammond, George Rutledge and Chris
Breshers.
Honorary pallbearers are Ken Abington, Porter Rodgers, Jr., George
Morgan, Leon Hill, Mike Shaw, Clifford Larrison, Buddy Finkbeiner,
Henry Trotter, Jr., Howard Wiechern and John Barrow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Portland United
Methodist Church, PO Box 400, Portland, Ark. 71663 or to the Portland
Cemetery, PO Box 51, Portland, Ark. 71663.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jones-Hartshorn
Funeral Home of Hamburg. Online guest book at www.jones-hartshorn.com
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Tuesday at his home in Portland.