Thomas Lee Pugh

Thomas L. Pugh, 87, passed away at 5:00 am Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Wellbrooke of Crawfordsville.

He was born May 10, 1928 at Ridge Farm, Illinois to Joe and Vera (Hester) Pugh. He married Alberta Lorrine Ratcliff, his loving wife of 66 years, on September 4, 1949 in the Wallace Lutheran Church. They resided in Wallace, Goodland, Rensselaer, Evansville, and Clermont in Indiana.

Survivors, other than his wife Alberta, include their children, Michael (Linda) Pugh of Cumming, Ga.; David (Laura) Pugh of Evansville; Rebecca (Andrew) Morgan of Rockville; and Jennifer (John) Cowart of Punta Gorda, Fla. 10 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.

Thomas graduated from Ridge Farm Township High School (class of 1946) and earned his bachelors degree from Purdue University School of Agriculture in June of 1950.

Thomas, during his career, provided outstanding leadership and guidance to the Hoosier heartland identifying drainage and erosion control resolutions not only to farmers but homeowners, government agencies, builders and engineers. Thomas, through the use of the public news media, and speaking engagements with professional and civic organizations, greatly improved the visibility and credibility of the Soil Conservation Service from northern to southern Indiana. One of his greatest career achievements, development of the Pigeon Creek Corridor in Vanderburgh County, Evansville, Indiana where he campaigned for river clean up and resource management long before the cause was popular.

Thomas served on several soil conservation boards throughout the state, as well as being honored with several awards including the United States Department of Agriculture "Certificate of Merit" and the Soil Conservation Society of America Hoosier Chapter Award for Education.

Thomas was also a member of the Phanuel Lutheran Church and the Wallace Indiana # 495 Lodge where he was a 50-year Mason.

Friends will be received 5 to 8 PM Sunday, April 24 at Sanders Funeral Care, 203 S. 1st Street, Kingman, Indiana 47952. Funeral Service will be Monday, April 25th at 10 am at Sanders Funeral Care, concluding with burial at Wallace Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wallace Lutheran Cemetery or Phanuel Lutheran Church, East Lutheran Church Road, Hillsboro , Indiana 47949. Share memories and condolences online at www.sandersfuneralcare.com