Like the greater prairie chicken that has gone away, Lowell Pugh left this world to go to his eternal home with Jesus on August 12, 2019 at the age of 87 years, 4 months and 26 days.
Harold Lowell Pugh was born to Harold Franklin Pugh and Hazel Wanda Thomas Pugh on March 16, 1932 in Golden City, Missouri. He was united in marriage to Bertha (Betty) Margaret Frock on December 28, 1952 at Immanuel Lutheran Church Lockwood, Missouri where he remained a life-long active member.
Lowell was a lifelong resident of Golden City. He graduated from Golden City Schools in 1950 and the St. Louis College of Mortuary Service in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-55. His European Duty tour included Germany with the Army of Occupation (NATO). He also served in the U.S. Army Active Reserve from 1975-1982.
Lowell initially wanted to farm with his maternal grandfather but joined the family hardware and funeral home business in 1951. He worked with his great-uncle Enoch Phillips and his parents. His love of the environment and preservation of the earth and its resources led him to work tirelessly to preserve and maintain the section of tall grass prairie land that he inherited and later sold to the Missouri Prairie Foundation. He worked to facilitate the preservation of other prairie lands and to help educate others on prairie management, grasses and flowers. In 1999 he began publication of “The Dead Beat-The Caregivers Soapbox”, dedicated to those serving in the Funeral industry. He co-authored a continuing education course on grief resolution for co-workers. He exited the funeral business in 2017 after 66 years. Lowell continued working to establish the Prairie Sunshine Art Center to support the arts and on-going educational programs for the prairies.
Lowell was active in many civic and cultural organizations. Including Missouri Prairie Foundation Board, Golden City Chamber of Commerce, Community Center Corporation, Western Hardware Association, National, Missouri and Texas Funeral Directors Associations, Public Relations Society of America, The Nature Conservancy, Hickman / Owen Post 473 American Legion, Board Harlow-Wright Cemetery, Golden City Alderman, Mayor, Industrial Development Corporation, Golden Homes Inc., EMT and MEMT for the Golden City Ambulance, Civil Defense, Boy Scout Troop 83, Rotary Club, Lions Club, and many other insignificant activities.
Lowell was an avid photographer of native flowers and plants found on the prairies. From his youth he enjoyed model railroading culminating in a large garden railroad winding for hundreds of feet through his extensive garden of prairie plants and flowers. Lowell was a founding member of the “Millard Fillmore Birthday Celebration” observed occasionally over the last 70 years or so. (no one exactly keeps track). He was known for the love of his family and community. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. He was also the source of many practical jokes, many of which he never took credit, with just the satisfaction of a good laugh.
He is survived by his wife Betty Pugh and his children Holly & Charles Stansberry , St. Charles, Missouri, Phillip Pugh, Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Ivy & Marshall Douglas, Mustang, Oklahoma, his grandchildren Scott Stansberry & Makayla Davis, Greg Stansberry & Megan Wolz, Lydia & Daniel Ingraham, Anna Pugh, Samantha & Sean Spears, Aramis & Amber Douglas, his great-grandchildren Brielle Stansberry, Lynlee Ingraham, Kara Ingraham, Hayden Spears and Oliver Spears.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Hazel Pugh and his daughter-in-law Carol Pugh.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral Services will be 3:00 PM Sunday, August 18, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lockwood, Missouri, with burial to follow in Dudenville Cemetery Golden City, Missouri.
Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Saturday at Prairie Sunshine Art Center (formerly Pugh Funeral Home).
Contributions are suggested and made payable to Prairie Sunshine Art Center Inc. or Missouri Prairie Foundation Inc. in care of Daniel Funeral Home.
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