Colonel Charles E. Pugh

Colonel Charles E. Pugh, United States Air Force (Retired), passed away on April 21, 2026.

He was born May 9, 1930, in Washington, D.C., to Michael O. Pugh and Winifred Leckey Pugh. Raised in the Washington DC area, Charlie graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and went on to attend the University of Maryland where he was a member of ROTC and the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Charlie was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force on March 17, 1954.

While attending the University of Maryland, Charlie met his future wife, Sarah Carolyn Davis, known to family and friends as Lynn. They were married in Washington, DC on June 19, 1954. Together they raised three daughters: Sarah, Karen, and Patty.

Charlie proudly served his country as an U.S. Air Force officer for 27 years and 10 months. He was a Command Pilot with over 4,000 hours of flight time. He was especially proud of his service as an air defense pilot flying the F-106, and of his assignment in Norway, where he flew the T-29 (Convair 240) while serving as military assistant to the Senior U.S. Officer Allied Forces Northern Europe. Charlie’s military decorations include but are not limited to Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Throughout his Air Force career, Charlie and his family were stationed in Washington DC, Minnesota, Florida, Montana, Colorado, and Georgia. Charlie was accompanied by his family in overseas assignments in Germany and Norway.

Upon Charlie’s retirement from the U.S. Air Force in 1982, he and his family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Charlie began a second career with ITT. Charlie and Lynn were passionate antique collectors, and Charlie honed his skill refinishing furniture while assisting Lynn in operating their antique shop, known as the Gossip Bench. Charlie was a devoted caregiver to his beloved Lynn during the finals years of her life prior to her passing in November 2009. In 2018, Charlie relocated to Wichita, Kansas.

Charlie was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Lynn, his parents, Michael and Winifred Pugh, his sister, Patricia Gaudreau, and his brother, Michael Pugh.

He is survived by his daughters, Sarah Walton, Karen (Regis) Hancock and Patricia Kirk (Steven Christie). He is also survived by: his grandchildren Charlie (Heather) Walton, Katie Walton Peretti (Nick), Stephanie Hancock, Hilary (Austin) Hillard, Matthew (Alee) Kirk, Eddie (Lauren) Kirk, and his great grandchildren, Cohen Peretti, Peter Walton, Amelia and Henry Quintero, Weston and Reva Hillard, Rylee and Elle Kirk and Lyla Kirk.

Charlie lived a full life. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him great joy. His family will always cherish the memories they shared.

A memorial has been established with: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS, 66675-8516 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.

Services and interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.

Arranged with Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com