Cleve Edward Pugh

Cleve was born in Denison, TX on June 19, 1934, to Earl and Bertha Pugh. He graduated from Denison High School in 1952 and went on to enlist in the Air Force in February 1953 until his honorable discharge in February of 1957. After being discharged from the military he moved the family to Richardson before finally settling in Carrollton, TX in 1967.

Cleve was married to Janice Kester-Colby on April 28, 1991; they were married for 34 years.

Cleve worked as an airline mechanic for Braniff Airlines for 25 years and then on to Dalfort where he worked an additional 15 years. In his later years, after retirement, Cleve was offered a position to work for Babe’s Chicken dinner house in downtown Carrollton for 15 years.

Cleve enjoyed the outdoors and spent much of his free time hunting, camping, and boating. He loved to travel but never lost the love he had for his hometown. He would often tell stories of his childhood growing up in Denison on his family’s dairy farm. He was known to have a ‘tell it how it is’ personality with no filter while also being the most lovable, funny, and loyal person to family and friends. His main joy in life was his family, anything they accomplished he was there cheering them on.

Cleve is preceded in death by his parents Earl and Bertha Pugh, and his sister Earlene Massie.

Cleve survived his wife; Janice Pugh, children; Gary Pugh (Debra), Tammy Warshawsky (Stuart), Jaci Welch (Kenny), and Nancy Johnson (Carl), Jeff Kelly (Darla), and his niece Dottie Pettigrew (Richard). He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Cleve is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 3-7pm at Rhoton Funeral Home. The committal service provided by Chaplin Jay Barnett will begin on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 9am at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. There will be a procession from the funeral home to the cemetery starting at 7:30am.