Phillip Lee Pugh, 79, of Afton, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on the early morning of May 18, 2014. Phil as everyone knew him was born in Batesville on August 4th, 1934, and was the son of E llis and Lilly Pugh.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, William and wife Louis Ellis (Buck) and first wife Rena Pugh, and sister Rosie and husband Carl Carter, mother in law Hattie C. Goolsby; brother-in-law Harry D. Kennedy. Phil is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jackie Goolsby Pugh, his sons Phillip (Randy) Pugh and wife Saskia M. Schapp of Afton, John R. Pugh and wife Denise of Bozeman, Montana, Michael L. Pugh and wife Ethel of Afton by way of Kill Devil Hills, NC; Grandchildren Alison and Megan Pugh of Bozeman, Montana and Susie and Dillion Pugh of Charlottesville and one step grandson Evans and wife Sarah Luke of Fort Worth, Texas; two step-great-grandsons Hunter and Holden of Fort Worth, Texas; sisters-in-law, Mildred Kennedy of Afton, Shirley Pugh of Conover, NC and Joanie Pugh of Conover, NC; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

At the age of 17, Phil enlisted in the United States Air Force and honorably served our country in Guam as an airman to driving around the top brass in Georgia from 1952-1957. He was demoted once in Guam due to conversing with some local ladies on a beach during one of his off duties and getting so sunburned he was considered damaging US property due to being in the hospital. Back in Georgia he lived off base with his wife Jackie and he would sneak off base and pull up next to their small house in his staff car and duds and get delivered free baked goods and a kiss by Jackie. After being honorably discharged from Air Force , Phil spent one week working for Acme Records in Crozet and decided this job wasn't for him. He then decided he would try out working as an auto mechanic and spent the next 23 years working for auto shops such as Calhoun, Dominic, and Jim Price Chevrolet before finally figuring out that he could make more money for his family opening up his own Auto Shop which he and Jackie called Pugh's Auto Service on Meade avenue which he ran for the next 15 years. In 1987 he retired and transferred his shop to his son Randy and Momma Pugh being mainly in charge. Some of Phil's finest memories were filled with family trips to the beach and visiting relatives in Virginia and NC, dragging around his pit crew family while he was racing his 1967 Camaro he called "Groundhog", making lots and lots of trips out West to visit his son John and family in Wyoming and Montana, trying to play golf and many, many countless memories. Even though he had two bouts with open heart surgery he would say "I feel great!" He was a loving person and had something to make you laugh about all the time and loved rolling around the floor with his grandkids.

The family will hold a small gathering for close family and friends from 5 until 8pm , on Thursday evening, May 22, 2014 at 7337 Dickwoods Road in Afton and due to our of state friends and family we will have a pig roast barbecue at his home on Saturday, August 2, 2014 from 12 until dusk where everyone is welcome to come and say goodbye to Phil. Phil also wanted to thank att the family, friends, doctors and nurses who have helped out over the years with his helth issues.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial donations to celebrate his life and help out the fabulous volunteers from Hospice of the Shenandoah, P. O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939
Phone 540-332-4909,www.augustahealth.com/hospice.

Anderson Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

andersonfuneralservie@gmail.com