Obituary of Ronald Willis Pugh
Ronald Willis Pugh (88) lifelong resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on November 8, 2024. He was born to Willis and Vera (Marquardt) Pugh on September 15, 1936, in St. Maries. Ron grew up in the Benewah Valley where he rode horses to school. His family moved into St. Maries in the 1950’s where he finished his schooling. In high school, Ron was an extremely talented athlete and excelled in basketball and football. He graduated from St. Maries High School in 1956.
Following high school, Ron attempted college life on a football scholarship to University of Idaho. He spent a semester in college before realizing furthering his schooling was not in his best interest, so he enlisted into the U.S. Army. Ron served 3 years active in the army spent at Fort Ord, CA, and then he transferred to the Air Guard Reserves serving 6 years out of Fairchild Air Force Base spending time as a Crew Chief on an F-87 fighter jet. During this time, he married Carolyn Thorhaug, and the couple had 2 children. The marriage later ended in divorce. Ron was blessed with love again when he met Darla Lenz, the couple met at a party with mutual friends and had an instant connection. They married in 1974 in Kamiah, ID and that marriage brought 2 children; however, between his, hers, and ours they had 7 children all together.
Ron held several different jobs over the years to support his family. He worked for St. Maries Lumber Company, U.S. Forest Service, Bunker Hill Mine, and he worked for his father crushing rock. In 1973 he partnered up with his brother Stan, and they established Pugh Brother’s Construction. At 65 years old Ron and Stan sold Pugh Brother’s to Ron’s son Brad, and Ron continued to work for him for 15 more years. Having a business in a small community means you contribute back to the community. Pugh Brother’s has always been a generous business contributing to St. Maries, and Ron was active in most of the local organizations. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Eagles Lodge, American Legion, he served as a Mason and a Shriner and was a member of the Lutheran Church. When he wasn’t working or volunteering, Ron was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and prospecting; his true passion was mining. Most important to Ron was his family, they were everything to him.
Ron is survived by his wife Darla at their home in St. Maries; children Lisa (Gabe) Julian of St. Maries, Jeff (Lisa) Pugh of St. Maries, Tara (Rob) Lyons of Meridian, Shawn (Danyiel) Lenz of Calder, Darrin (Meghan) Lenz of Parker, CO, Ron “Spook” (Kasey McCaffery) Pugh of St. Maries, and Brad Pugh (JoJo Lounsbury) of St. Maries; brother Lonnie (Candy) Pugh of St. Maries; sister Sharon (Dick) Procopio of Polson, MT; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Stan and Gerri Pugh and Sandra Brebner, his grandson Brenner Michael also his nephew Jim Brebner and Keith Pugh
A visitation will be held on Thursday November 21, 2024 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries. Graveside services will be Friday, November 22, 2024 at 10:00 am at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries, ID with Military Honors being presented. A Memorial Service to follow at 11:00 am at the Elks Lodge with a gathering of family and friends to share a meal and memories.
