Henry Q. H.Q. Pugh, Jr.

Henry Quinton HQ Pugh, Jr., 90, died peacefully at his Lake Charles home on Veteran's Day November 11, 2012, with his family by his side.

He was born in Many, LA on November 25, 1921 to Henry Q. Pugh, town marshall of Many, and Cleo Alford Pugh, both from Many. He had one sibling, Margie Ruth Clark also of Many.

After graduating from Many High School in 1939, Mr. Pugh moved briefly to Beaumont, TX where he was employed as a welder's assistant. When he was not allowed to take the master welder's test in Beaumont he moved to Mobile, AL where he quickly passed the test and was employed at Gulf Shipbuilding. In April 1944, he joined the Army and served as a Construction Engineer in Central Europe. After being honorably separated from the Army in June 1946, he attended Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, LA where he met fellow student Peggy Jean Andrews of Amite, LA.

In 1949, the couple both graduated from Northwestern, married in Mississippi, and moved to Lake Charles where Mr. Pugh was employed at the Port of Lake Charles as auditor. He was later appointed as Assistant Port Director, serving this position until he retired in 1986. Following his retirement, the Port honored him with the naming of Henry Pugh Boulevard which leads to the Calcasieu Point Landing located on the east bank of the ship channel just north of Big Lake. He was an active member of the Lake Charles Petrochemical Club for many years. Q Pugh enjoyed cooking many fine Louisiana recipes. He liked duck and goose hunting near the camp he built close to Holmwood with his good friends Allan F. House and Henry Morgan. He was a strong supporter of McNeese basketball especially when his good friend Ralph Ward was head coach from 1952-1971. During his later years, he greatly enjoyed bird watching and flower gardening. Mrs. Pugh was a career educator working as an English teacher at LaGrange Senior High School and later at the Calcasieu Parish School Board. They were married 53 years until her death in 2003.

Mr. Pugh will be most remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor.

He is survived by his son Kenneth Scott Pugh, Captain, US Navy (retired) and wife Rebecca Wallace Pugh of Annapolis MD, his daughter Mary Claire Pugh and husband Bucky George of Lake Charles, four grandsons, Ross Quinton Pugh of Fayetteville, AR, William Henry Hale and Michael Scott Hale, both of Lake Charles and Ethan Anderson Berg of Annapolis, MD; two granddaughters, Lauren Emily Vick of Princeton, NC and Laura Elizabeth Stacy of Lacassine and four great-grandchildren, Brenden James Moody, Payton Olivia Vick, Grayson Claire Vick and Emery Kate McCormick.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and an infant son, James Pugh and his sister.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, November 15, 2012 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Charlie Langford will officiate. Interment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation Wednesday will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and will continue Thursday from 8:00 AM until the time of service in the funeral home.