James Leroy “Roy” Pugh, 71, died suddenly on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at Troy Regional Medical Center. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Troy with Dr. Ben Smith officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday, August 18, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Dillard Funeral Home in Troy.

Roy was born in Pike County in the Harmony Community on February 17, 1947, to parents James Grady and Essie Rebecca Coppage Pugh, who preceded him in death. He was the fifth of 12 children and his parents were sharecroppers. He learned hard work from working on the farm and often talked about picking pecans. He eventually bought land with those pecan trees on it and built a house there later in life.

Roy served in the United States Army, starting in 1980 and retiring in 2004 from military service with the Alabama National Guard. He last served with the 131st Aviation Battalion in Hope Hull. During his time, he was deployed for the Kosovo Campaign and Operation Enduring Freedom. He received numerous decorations, medals, and citations including: The Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Master Aircraft Crewman Badge.

He served the City of Troy for 25 years starting in 1974. He proudly served with the Troy Police Department for 24 of those years. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1979 and then to Lieutenant in 1982. He retired in 1999 and was fondly known as the officer with the “Glen Campbell” voice. Roy received a Silver Star for Bravery in 1981 and the Police Officer of the Year Award in 1982. These awards were given for his support and intervention in a situation that unfortunately resulted in the death of a fellow officer and injury of two others.

Roy enjoyed staying busy building numerous personal homes and doing renovations and remodels of homes in the area. In his version of retirement, he enjoyed working on his land with his prized garden, fishing in his pond as well as hunting and traveling. He never met a stranger and was a close friend to many. He loved the Alabama Crimson Tide. Roll Tide, Roy Boy! 

Preceding Roy in death were sisters Julia Golden and Dorothy Horton; brother Randy Pugh; and nephews Joseph Pugh and James Golden.

Surviving Roy are his daughters, Mary-Katherine Rebecca Pugh Wainwright (Sam), Ashley Pugh, and Leanne Whitaker; sisters, Shirley Morales (Gilbert), Sally Senn (Roman), Linda Mehaffey (Thomas), Brenda Calhoun, Gail McCullough (Danny), and Ann Dickey; brothers, Eddie Pugh (Rhonda) and David Pugh (Renee); loving aunt, Jean Gorman; and a host of numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary Pallbearers include Sonny Schrieber, Chuck Railey, Joseph Leveque, Jimmy Atwell, Ned Sanders, Sam Wainwright, the 1133rd Medical Company (AA), and the Troy Police Department.

The family welcomes flowers or donations in lieu of flowers to your charity of choice.

To sign the online guest register please visit our website at dillardfh.com.