Darrell Alton Pugh

Darrell Alton “Papa D” Pugh, 76, passed away peacefully at his home on January 26, 2023, after a very short but courageous battle with Anaplastic thyroid cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends until his final breath. While our hearts are broken, we are comforted knowing he is no longer suffering, and was ready to be with Jesus. We know he was filled with complete joy as our Heavenly Father welcomed him home with open arms, proclaiming, “Well done, My Good and Faithful Servant.” Darrell was born on the 4th of July, 1946, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Alton and Alice Pugh. When he was 6 years old, the family relocated to the tiny farm town of Amo, Indiana. Upon graduating from Amo High School in 1964, he enlisted in the Air Force, where he served 8 years as a radio mechanic. He was stationed overseas in Japan and Germany during Vietnam. After an Honorable Discharge from the service, Darrell settled in Southern California in 1976, where he met Susan Hoctor while attending church. They were married later that year, and eventually had 3 beautiful children together. That same year, Darrell began working for Dimetrics as a welding engineer, servicing nuclear power plants domestically and internationally. In 1991, the company relocated to Charlotte, NC, where Darrell spent the next 25 years. He worked hard at his job, and loved the people he worked with, who became family to him. Upon learning he was going to be a grandfather in 2016, Darrell finally retired from Liburdi Dimetrics after a dedicated 40 year career, and moved back to Ventura to be with his family. In his retirement, Darrell loved his daily walks on the beach promenade in Ventura. He loved Hawaiian shirts, Mexican food, college sports, and Dodgers Baseball. He never missed a NASCAR race on TV. He was filled with all the best wisdom, dad jokes, and one-liners. If you asked how he was, he’d always humbly reply “Better than I deserve.” He was affectionately known as Papa D, Big D, Uncle D, and Pops. He was a lover of music. He had the most incredible singing voice that would fill the room and give you goosebumps. He loved watching The Voice, American Idol, and Jeopardy. He enjoyed afternoon naps, reading his Bible, and Sudoku puzzles. He truly loved the simple things of life. But more than anything else in the world, his greatest love and joy were his kids and grandkids, and spending time with them. Darrell was a devout man of God, with the most incredible, unwavering faith. He enjoyed being involved with his different church homes over the years, especially singing on the worship team and teaching Sunday School. He was a friend to everyone. He loved people in the most beautiful Christ-like way, and always offered encouragement to anyone in need. His trust in God was rock solid. Even at the end of his life, amidst all the sickness and suffering, he was steadfast in proclaiming the goodness and faithfulness of God. Darrell is survived by his three children, Sarah Pugh-Galvan and husband Art of Ventura, Zachary Levi Pugh of Bastrop, TX, Shekinah McGlocklin and husband Ian of Ventura, “other daughter” niece Nicole Moore and husband Sean of Ventura, three wonderful grandsons Gryffin, Gunther, and Levan, his three sisters Maureen Jackson, Virginia “Ginny” Spillman, and Suzy Robinson, as well as an abundance of nieces and nephews and their children. He is preceded in death by his parents Alton and Alice Pugh, former wife Susan Hoctor Pugh, cousin Thomas Repp, and brothers-in-law Carl Jackson and Jerry Robinson. A private celebration of life will be held for family and friends on March 18th in Ventura. Arrangements are under the direction of the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura.