Former businessman, commissioner Richard Pugh dies

ASHEBORO — Richard Pugh, successful businessman, county commissioner and avid baseball fan, died Monday, Aug. 12, at his home. He was 89.

He took over his father John’s business when the elder Pugh retired, and brought his four sons into Pugh Oil Co. Pugh served as president of the NC Oil Jobbers Association and as president of Asheboro Rotary.

Elected to the Randolph County Board of Commissioners in 1972, he served for 12 years, some of them as chair. 

After leaving the county board, Pugh was appointed by Gov. Jim Martin to the NC Board of Transportation. It was in that role that he played a major part in getting US 64 widened to four lanes from Asheboro to Ramseur.

Harold Holmes became county manager in April 1972, just months before Pugh was elected as a commissioner. They worked together for about three years.

“He was a good commissioner, very thorough and always to the point. He said what he felt,” Holmes said of Pugh.

“He was a good man and a good friend for a long time. We’ll all miss him.”

Darrell Frye, who was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1982, said, “Richard was one of my mentors on the board. He took me in and I watched him and learned from him.

“He had a good way of giving advice,” Frye said. “I always respected him. I thought a lot of Richard Pugh. He didn’t get enough recognition for what he did.”

Frye said prior to his time as a commissioner he served on the Trinity school board. He said the theater at Trinity High School had no seats and the audience had to sit on the floor. “I went to Richard and said, ‘We need seats in the theater.’ They got their seats. If he saw a real need, he would see a way to get it done.”

Frye said he saw Pugh recently and they talked for 20 or 30 minutes. “He asked about the county,” Frye said. “He always looked out after Randolph County.

“But most of all, he was my friend.”

Here is Richard Pugh's obituary listed on the Pugh Funeral Home website:

Richard Keith Pugh

March 8, 1935 — August 12, 2024

ASHEBORO — Richard Keith Pugh, age 89, of Asheboro passed away Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at his home.

Richard was born March 8, 1935, in Randolph County to John Q. Pugh, Jr. and Maxine Hill Pugh. 

He was a 1953 graduate of Franklinville High School and received his business degree from Elon College in 1957. He was a member of Central Methodist Church.

Richard was the owner of Pugh Oil Company, Inc. until his retirement in 1999. He was past president of the NC Oil Jobbers Association, past president of the Asheboro Rotary Club and served on the Board of Directors for First National Bank. From 1972-1984, he served as a Randolph County Commissioner. Governor Jim Holshouser appointed Richard to the NC C&D Board and in 1985 Governor Jim Martin appointed him to the NC Board of Transportation. 

Richard was a NASCAR and avid baseball fan. He once turned a lap around Daytona Speedway at over 180 mph with his friend Richard Petty. He played golf and learned to enjoy being a fair golfer with lots of good friends.

Richard is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty Dunn Pugh; sons, Ronald K. Pugh (Teresa), Douglas K. Pugh (Ruth), Steven K. Pugh (Tammy), Michael K. Pugh (Nona) all of Asheboro; 11 grandchildren, Aaron (Haley), Tyson (Collins), Derek (Taylor), John (Michelle), Kathryn (Eric), Sarah (Andy), Kyle (Holly), Keli, Kasey, Kerry and Karly; 17 great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Jackson, Frances, Henry, Thomas, Brooks, Connor, Eli, Landon, Kenzie, Owen, Robert, James, Ava, Addy Kate, Tucker and Lina; brother, Alan V. Pugh.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Central Methodist Church with Rev. Lonnie Pittman and Rev. Fred Huffstetler officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Family Life Center. A private burial will be held.

Memorials may be made in Richard’s honor to Central Methodist Church, 300 S. Main St., Asheboro, NC 27203.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the family.