Raymond Pugh, Sr. "Pud"

Raymond Dee Pugh, Sr. (Pud), went to be with The Lord on January 15, 2021 at the esteemed age of 92. He was born on April 4th, 1928 in Morris Chapel, Tennessee to James and Roxye Pugh. It was there that Pud vividly remembered riding to town in the family wagon. He moved to Texas along with his parents and eight siblings in 1935. Pud was a fixture in the early mornings at the West Columbia coffee shop. Later on, he could be found on a horse, at the pasture, in the stands at a Columbia Roughnecks game or maybe even driving down the shoulder of Highway 35. Known as “Pawpaw Pud”, he took great pride in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s efforts in the show arena and on the softball field. He gave so much to many; their earliest turn as cowhands, first horses and countless pieces of cowboy wisdom. They don’t make ‘em like him anymore.

Pud was preceded in death by his parents, James and Roxye Pugh; wife, Naomi Rae Pugh; brothers, Roy, Paul, and Lloyd Pugh; sister, Lucille Bates; and twins that passed away at birth.

Pud is survived by his two children, Sheri Leopold and husband, Scott of West Columbia and Chip Pugh of  West Columbia; grandchildren, Chance Leopold and wife, Linda of West Columbia, Jimi Roberson and husband, Mike of New Braunfels, Mallory Wonnacott and husband, Jason of Fulshear, and Kacy Berry and husband, Jake of Sweeny; great-grandchildren, Madisson and Gracey Leopold, Tanner, Laken and Saylor Roberson, Ryan, Carter and Allie Wonnacott, and Jace Berry; brother, Billy Pugh of West Columbia; and sister, Pauline Turner of Lake Jackson; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, January 23, 2021 at C. T. Baker & Sons Funeral Home in West Columbia. Burial will follow at Cedar Lawn Haven of Rest. The family will be receiving friends from 1:00 pm until service time.

Serving as pallbearers are Jake Berry, Dixie McGaughey, Patrick McGaughey, Mike Roberson, William Trahan, Billy Wisch and Jason Wonnacott.  Honorary pallbearers are Joe Doyle, Robert Krenek (PeePaw), Paul Nugent, Bill Wiggins, Bill Wisch, the coffee shop drinkers and others that have gone before.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Pud’s name to The Gathering Place Interfaith Ministries, a center for families affected by Alzheimer’s and related Dementias.