Connie Jo Pugh

Connie Pugh elevated to the majestic golf courses and bridge tables of the afterworld on April 17, 2026, after passing away in Columbia. She lived a vibrant and highly social life for a vast majority of her 86 years before falling into declining health on the 18th hole and final shuffle of her incredible round and deal of life, particularly following the death of her husband, Bob, in 2024. Wherever they end up together, Bob will be thrilled to see her again but will refuse to challenge her in golf or bridge. “Old gal (he sometimes used a less affectionate term) always beats my ass in everything.”

“You should take lessons and you could get better,” Connie always replied. Bob always refused. Connie persevered and with her incredible wit and creativity, provided “life lessons” to her family and multitude of friends throughout her time on earth.

She was born Connie Jo Grogger on February 18, 1940, in Chillicothe, Missouri to Harold and Irene Grogger. Her father’s job as a soil scientist for the State of Missouri brought them to Columbia when she was in elementary school and they moved into a house on West Blvd. where Connie’s brother still resides today.

Connie attended the University Lab School and was an avid dancer throughout her childhood when not ruling the neighborhood kids. She next attended Hickman High School, where during her junior year, she became smitten with a shy track star named Bobby Pugh and asked him to accompany her to the “Sadie Hawkins Dance.” It was a successful first date and they remained together for 58 years until Bob’s death.

In 1958, Connie enrolled at the University of Missouri and pledged to the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She remained active with the Pi Phi’s even after her graduation from Mizzou in 1962 with a degree in Education, serving as alumni rush week coordinator and advisor for many years.

She became engaged to Bob Pugh (Beta Theta Pi) shortly after graduation and they were married on August 18, 1962, at United Methodist Church in Columbia. Connie became employed as a seventh-grade biology teacher at West Jr. High School (now West Middle School) to make ends meet while Bob spent a “bonus semester” tying up some loose ends to complete his degree in accounting.

Connie next headed to Fort Still, OK when Bob was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, then to Fort Knox, KY where they celebrated the birth of their son, Douglas. Shortly thereafter, they returned home to Columbia, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Lesley, and remained in Boone County until their deaths.

Connie was a devoted wife and mother, organizing and maintaining the family household and her kids’ numerous activities while Bob served as mayor of Columbia in the mid-1970’s, then launched a successful business career as CEO of MBS Textbook Exchange. It was a perfect combination and fit. Connie and Bob enjoyed a comfortable and lucrative existence, and neither could have accomplished it without the other.

During her adulthood, Connie was no longer an avid dancer (although she could more than hold her own in the living room following Mizzou football games, at wedding receptions and the like. She was also the champion of Missouri Contemporary Ballet’s “Dancing With the Missouri Stars” in 2010.

Instead, she fell in love with golf and bridge. She became damned good at both. She ended her career on the links with a ridiculous seven holes-in-one. She competed in regional, then national, tournaments in bridge, ultimately achieving the designation of “Life Master.” One may wonder how many humans ever accomplished BOTH of these things during their lifetimes? Connie was supremely fit in both body and mind.

She enjoyed socializing at the Country Club of Missouri, where she and Bob became “regulars,” welcoming friends and family to the house at the Lake of the Ozarks, and holiday vacations with her children and grandchildren.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Irene Grogger, and her husband, Robert Pugh. She is survived by her son Douglas Pugh (wife Amy) of Columbia; daughter Lesley Pugh of Columbia; brother Robert Grogger of Columbia; her grandchildren: Parker Adam (wife Sara) of Scottsdale, AZ; Tatum Pugh of Denver, CO; Logan Adam of Scottsdale, AZ; and Sadie Pugh of Kansas City; and one great-grandchild, Robert “Bobby” Adam, born two months prior to her death.

Connie was laid to rest beside Bob in a private family ceremony. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Country Club of Missouri on a future date to be announced by her children. Connie will not be able to hit the driving range or bridge room during the event. Or maybe?

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com