Jerome "Jerry" Forrest Pugsley

A candle was lit by Carol Godwin Burr on April 9, 2018 12:13 AM

Message from Carpentersville, Il

Mr P, that’s what we called him. My favorite teacher all through my four years at Arlington High School. I remember hanging out in room 260 with the other music kids, we all loved Mr P. I just found this and am so sorry for your loss. I’m sad, the world has lost a wonderful amazing teacher. I loved Mr Pugsley, he taught me so much and we had a wonderful time in chorus and Choraliers. Mr P was loved by many students. I will never forget him and all the music he brought into my life, my heart, and soul. I’ll see you on the other side, Mr P. Love, Carol Godwin Burr

A candle was lit by Trudy Nowell on October 28, 2017 11:37 AM

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Dear Pugsley family, I am so sorry to have read of the recent death of your loved one Jerry. Please accept my most sincere condolences. I would like to share something that I have personally found to be very comforting. It is found in the Bible at John 5:28,29 and Revelation 21:3-5. These verses tell us that soon Jehovah God through his son Christ Jesus is going to bring about a resurrection of our dear loved ones, as well as do away with all the causes we have for suffering including sickness and death. Knowing this has always comforted me when I've lost loved ones and it is my hope that these thoughts will likewise comfort your family also during this most difficult time in your lives. If you would like to read these Scriptures online for free or find more comforting thoughts, please visit jw.org Please accept my deepest sympathy on your loss.
Sincerely, Trudy Nowell - Panama City Beach, FL

Message from Joan Ramsey Buckley, class of 1979 AHS

I am so very sorry for your loss! "Mr. P." was my favorite high school teacher and his encouragement during those years meant so much to me. His love of choral music was infectious - singing under his direction was such joy! I remember having voice lessons one summer (with Kendy Schroeder) - totally transformed by technique. Whenever I hear Vivaldi and Bach, I think of him and his wonderful tutelage. God bless you, Mrs. P. and family! Mr. P., I bet you are arranging the voice sections in the angel choir now.

A candle was lit by Dean Williams on October 27, 2017 1:03 PM

Message from Karen Mains

Jerry was so SPECIAL to many people. I will miss him very much My sympathy to Carolina and family.

A candle was lit by Karen Mains on October 26, 2017 9:12 PM

A candle was lit by Rhea Wade on October 26, 2017 9:28 AM

Message from Donna Sadlicki

My sincere condolences to your family. Mr P. was pivotal to my direction into a lifetime of music. Never forget seeing a familiar figure sitting in the congregation of a church where I was the professional soloist. Even after all those years I recognized him and flattered that he came to hear me sing. From Arlington High School with love and appreciation.

Message from Jennifer Dunn

Thank you Mr. Pugsley for teaching my freshman year chorus class at Prospect High School, encouraging me, and offering a respite of music during the day that fostered a lifelong love of music and song. We will remember you gratefully.

A candle was lit by Carrie Anna Courtad on October 25, 2017 7:31 PM

Message from Kenton, OH

I met Jerry only once. But following the legacy he left at Kenton, OH was not an easy task. I feel honored to have worked with some of the same students he did. My deepest condolences to all.
James D. Smith

Message from Brian Gier

I will never forget the Harmony and Arranging class that I took with him at PHS (class of ‘92). Mr. P took our class on a field trip to Gary Frye’s recording studio where my love for recording engineering was cemented. The music theory that Mr. P taught me was the foundation for my learning at the DePaul University School of Music. Rest In Peace Mr. Pugsley. You made a big difference in my life!

A candle was lit by Susan Kle t on October 25, 2017 5:21 PM

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Mr. Pugsley was my favorite teacher. He taught me to love music through his obvious passion! He made music come to life in my eyes and heart. I truly believe that God used music to save me. Mr. Pugsley always encouraged his students to push themselves and stretch beyond their comfort zone. Sometimes we would drive him crazy! I will be forever changed and have comfor knowing that I will see him again! Thank you Sir for making me better! Rest now~

A candle was lit by Donna Lewis on October 25, 2017 5:15 PM

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"Mr. P" was a legend at Arlington High School. Some of my most fond memories of my years there involved our choir, at his direction. Any opportunity to visit AHS includes trying to peak in that choir room! Quite a legacy. My condolences to his family and friends on his loss.

A candle was lit by Susan Craig on October 25, 2017 5:11 PM

Message from Scott Fack

Mr. Pugsley -- affectionately known as "Mr. P" or just "P" -- was a wonderful man who positively impacted many young peoples' lives, mine included, during his time teaching. While I was involved with him in musicals at Prospect High School, I didn't join Mixed Company until my senior year, and only at Mr. P's urging. He, as always, was right, because I made life-long friends and a strong bond with those people through his stewardship with his class. "Our song", "Friends" by Michael W Smith, sums this up perfectly.

My final year in high school was his final year teaching at Prospect, and, both being pianists, we formed a bond. I remember him asking me to turn pages for him while he was playing some difficult piece because I "got it", and I could follow him no matter how quickly he was playing or how complex the piece. When I was in the barbershop quartet for the musical that year, Music Man, he, the other quartet members, and I would spend our lunches practicing, and it taught me a lot. He went above and beyond for us, and he embedded in me a stronger love for music.

He had a request from me before he retired. He wanted to push the rules at District 7, where it said only one person could sing at a time in the solo category, but it didn't say it had to be the same person all the time. Mr. P asked me if I would sing "When I Was a Lad" from HMS Pinafore, but the surprise would be that some of my Mixed Company choirmates would pipe up and sing the responses when I wasn't singing. Mr. P knew if we got a judge that didn't have a sense of humor that I could be marked low or disqualified, so he let me know what I was in for, but this was P! Of course, I would do it for him. And I did, and I remember afterwards how absolutely happy and tickled about it. That made me happy, and I finally got to give something back to him for everything he did for me.

I could go on and on with wonderful stories, but it boils down to Mr. Pugsley was an amazing man with wonderful talents, and he was one of the best teachers I have ever had in my life. He gave me and my classmates so very much, and for that, I will forever be grateful.

My condolences to Mrs Pugsley and his family on your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time, but please know the love from his students and Mixed Company "family" are with you all at this time.

As we say in New Zealand, kia kaha (stand strong) and aroha (love),
Scott Fack

Message from Nicky Seymour

Mr. Pugsley helped me realize my passion and dream of singing and acting while attending Arlington High School. I still remember him walking through the halls with Pirates of Penzance blaring from his boom box while we were in production for the last musical at Arlington. He was talented, funny and VERY patient. I am sorry I was not able to thank him for this. Rest in Peace Mr. P. You will be missed.

Message from Jan Gibson

Jerry was bright, talented, and caring. I enjoyed his wicked sense of humor in our English Fine Arts Dept. at AHS. He will be missed by all.

Jan

A candle was lit by Kelly Lucas Hicks on October 25, 2017 12:32 PM

Message from Steve Calzaretta

I just found out today. This is a very dark day. "P" was not only a wonderful Teacher but a great and loyal friend. My heart breaks right now. I am at a loss. So many years we were friends. My mentor, teacher and friend. The impact that "P" had on my life can never be explained.
I hope you all find comfort knowing he is in a better place now. No more suffering. I know how much he loved his family. That was one of the things we always spoke about. I love you "P". God Bless you.

Carolyn,
Words cannot express how saddened our hearts are by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Over the years, we've grown quite fond of the two of you. Jerry's kind soul and servant's heart touched so many and will never be forgotten. May God bless you, keep you, and comfort you and all who grieve his passing. In Christ's love, Amy, Eric, & Jillian

A candle was lit by Eric & Amy Hansen & Jillian on October 25, 2017 8:49 AM

Message from Beverly Flower-Hofer

with unendless sorrow and sympathy, Beverly Flower-Hofer, Linz, Austria

A candle was lit by Beverly Flower-Hofer on October 25, 2017 6:40 AM

Message from Janice (Detwiler) Kimball, Brevard, NC

Jerry and I became acquainted in 2006 when our mutual relative Forrest Richey died; I sent him a couple of items belonging to the Richeys, and later, a photo album. Through the years we continued emailing about 1) recipes from the Household Searchlight Recipe Book, 2) the Pugsley house outside Woodbine, 3) his first grandson, 4) the book I co-wrote with a NC musician, 5) another mutual relative, Betty Boustead Pugsley, 6) the Beatrice house added to the National Register of Historic Places, 7) Woodbine musicians Loie McElwain, Bob Head, Evelyn Eby, and many other things. I will spend many hours re-reading the rich letters from this fine man, which, sadly, I never met.

A candle was lit by Colleen Carmean of Tacoma. Washington on October 24, 2017 8:21 PM

Message from Cathy Wertman

Very sad loss of a kind, Godly man. The church, community, and I will miss him greatly. So thankful for the years of friendship, music, and service that have enlightened my life. Thinking of you, Carolyn and family, and praying that
god will wrap you in the blanket of His love throughout this time and forever. Cathy

A candle was lit by Jeff Green on October 24, 2017 8:48 AM