Gerald W. Pugh

Mr. Gerald W. Pugh, 78, died Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis, Tennessee. The funeral will be Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. James Twiner officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:30 P.M. Private Burial Services will follow at Oxford Memorial Cemetery.

Gerald was born on March 10, 1946, in Hollandale, Mississippi, to Hattie Smyly. While attending college, he met his future wife, Sara, and the two wed in 1967. Together, they moved to Oxford, Mississippi, where Gerald completed his Pharmacy degree at The University of Mississippi. Gerald truly embraced his career in Pharmacy and being a patron of his community while being an owner in Pharmacy Stores located in Indianola and Shaw Mississippi. He also served as resident Pharmacist at the South Sunflower County Hospital in Indianola for over 20 years.

Gerald’s knowledge and expertise in the field was recognized by Governor Fordice, who appointed him to serve on the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy in 1993 – 1998. In 2006 he returned to work with State Board again as a Compliance Officer where he has diligently served for the past 18 years, until his death.

Gerald had a passion for spending his time away from work in his yard and garden. He was a Saturday morning regular at the local hardware and garden centers where many knew him on a first name basis. He spent countless hours of enjoyment doing yard work and gardening. He loved duck hunting, fishing and the game of golf which he passed on to his two sons, Brad and Evan.

In their early years of marriage, Gerald and Sara enjoyed raising their three beloved children. From traveling to watch the kids play sports, to long summer days spent on the lake, and annual trips to the beach, he considered those years of parenting some of the greatest of his life. After moving to Oxford, MS and beginning to see his family expand with grandchildren, Gerald and Sara have enjoyed their years as grandparents. His most cherished times were spent hosting family get-togethers and emphasizing precious time spent together as a family.

They were attending members of First United Methodist Church in Indianola for many years and attended First Baptist Church in Oxford.

A trusted pharmacist, loyal friend, devoted husband and loving father, Gerald will be missed by many. Gerald was preceded in death by his mother, Hattie Pugh and his sister, Brenda Bariola.

Gerald is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Sara Pugh of Oxford, MS; daughter, Julie Downer and her husband, John, of Madison, MS; two sons, Brad Pugh and his wife, Lauren, of Oxford, MS and Evan Pugh and his wife, Alyssa, of Fort Worth, TX; brothers, Lee Pugh of Leland, MS and Butch Pugh of Cleveland, MS; as well as six grandchildren, John Gelston “Jack” Downer, III, James Leland Downer, Saylie Parker Miller, Bradley Collier Pugh, John Ryan Pugh, and A.J. Segars Pugh.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Gerald’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN or online at www.stjude.org, or to Samaritan’s Purse, Post Office Box 3000, Booneville, NC 28607, or online at https://samaritanspurse.org/.