Carlos Pugh, 90, of Frankfort, Kentucky, passed away on September 8, 2026.
Born July 13, 1936, in Breathitt County, Kentucky, Carlos was the son of the late Mason and Lona Caudill Pugh. He proudly served in the United States Army, including in Vietnam, and later worked in heavy machinery.
Carlos was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alma Joyce, who passed away in 2013. Their life together was central to who he was.
Carlos devoted much of his life to serving Kentucky’s veterans. He served as State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Kentucky, worked with the Joint Executive Council of Veterans Organizations of Kentucky, served on the Kentucky Veterans’ Program Trust Fund Board of Directors, and advocated for veterans before the Kentucky General Assembly. He also served as Chairman of the Frankfort and Franklin County Planning Commission. In 2015, he was inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame.
Carlos was larger than life, a jokester, storyteller, and one of the funniest people anyone could meet. He had a gift for making people feel welcome, and his humor and personality will be remembered by all who knew him.
He is survived by his son, Jeffry Pugh (Jennifer); his granddaughter, Paige Snyder (Luke); his sister, Brenda Pugh; his brothers, William Sherman Pugh and Lloyd Pugh; and extended family, friends, fellow veterans, and many others whose lives he touched. In addition to his wife and parents, Carlos was preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Moore, Grover Pugh, Lorene Holt, Ollie Pugh, and Ida Pugh.
Carlos spent the final two and a half years of his life at Thomson-Hood Veterans Center. His family is deeply grateful for the care, kindness, dignity, and friendship shown to him by the staff there. They will always be thankful for the way the Thomson-Hood community cared for Carlos and treated him like family.
Carlos leaves behind a legacy of military service, advocacy for veterans, community involvement, love, and laughter. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered as a beloved husband, father, Grandaddy, brother, veteran, and truly unforgettable man.
Funeral services will be held at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Rick Snyder officiating. Visitation will be at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday. Military honors will be observed by the VFW Post 4075 following the service.
In accordance with his wishes, burial will be private, and there will be no graveside service.
Serving as pallbearers will be Will Craycraft, John Craycraft, Richard Craycraft, Luke Snyder, Darrin Hendren, and Dan Glass.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in honor of his service to our country.
Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory.
