Birth date: May 7, 1931 Death date: Dec 15, 2021
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Coach Tom Pugh, 90, of Kingsport, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Holston Valley Medical Center.He was born May 7, 1931, in Morristown, TN as the only child of James and Aznetta Pugh who are now deceased.He graduated from Morristown High School in 1949. Tom played football there for Coach Petie Siler and was captain of the 1948 team. He played football at Carson-Newman College for Coach Sam (Frosty) Holt and T.J. Stafford. Tom earned letters as a Freshman and Sophmore. He graduated from Carson-Newman in 1954, with a B.A. Degree in Economics.Following graduation from Carson-Newman he married the love of his life, Charlotte Smith. Tom served in the U.S. Army from September 20, 1954, until July 25, 1956. He served in Germany for eighteen months and obtained the rank of SP3.Tom began his coaching career at Jefferson High School, Jefferson City, TN in 1956. His 1957, his football team there was undefeated during the regular season. He also coached at Fulton High School, Knoxville, TN, Elizabethton High School, Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett, E.T.S.U., and Sullivan Central. Tom served as an assistant coach when Dobyns-Bennett won the UPI State Championship in 1964, when D-B only yielded 31 points. He also served as Defensive Co-ordinator at Central High School in 1975, when Central won the Big 9 Championship yielding only 32 points in the regular season. In 1969, his football team beat Morristown East 14-13 and eventually East won the first TSSAA State Championship.Tom was Big 6 “Coach of the Year” in 1978, and Big 10 “Coach of the Year” in 1981. He was inducted into the Morristown Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, and the National Football Hall of Fame in 2017.Tom received a Master’s Degree from the University of Tennessee in Physical Education in 1962, and received 45 hours above the Master’s Degree from E.T.S.U. in 1977.He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord in June of 1976, at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Conference in Black Mountain, NC. Tom was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes while coaching at Central High School.He was a former member of Tri-Cities Baptist Church where he served as an Elder and a member of First Baptist Church in Morristown, TN at the time of his death. Tom was also a member of Gideon’s International.In 2004, he wrote and published a book about his high school coach, Pete Siler. The title of the book was Morristown High School’s Legendary Coach, Pete Siler.In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Charlotte Pugh.Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Steve Pugh and wife, Debbie, Mark Pugh and wife, Jill, John Pugh and wife, Teresa; grandchildren, Jonathan Pugh and wife, Lauren, Jennifer Noe and husband, Scott, Karissa Pressley and husband, Erik, Thomas Pugh, Joseph Pugh, Candice Pugh, Michael Pugh, Ethan Pugh and wife, Margaret, Daniel Pugh and wife, Jesse; great-grandchildren, Braeden, Knox, Layne, Hudson, Charlie, Liam and Elaina; several cousins also survive.The family will receive friends Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 4:00-5:45 pm in the funeral home chapel.A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 6:00 pm with Dr. Phil Hoskins officiating.The family will also receive friends Monday, December 20, 2021, from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at Maye’s Mortuary in Morristown, TN.Burial will follow at 12:30 pm at Jarnagin Cemetery in Morristown with Dr. Dean Haun officiating.To share memories and condolences with the family please visit www.oakhillfh.comThe care of Coach Tom Pugh and his family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services, Kingsport, TN.Read Obituary
My heart is saddened by your loss. Coach Pugh was such a beautiful and kind soul. I have many fond memories of this sweet family and growing up with in the same neighborhood. May God’s Grace comfort you in this difficult time.
I didn't know about his his until today. Coach Pugh was a wonderful man and was a coach at D-B when I played in the late 1960's. He was a great example, a very good man, and a class act. David Epps class of 1969
I so enjoyed getting acquainted with Coach Tom Pugh when we helped him with his book about Coach Petie Siler. Tom's attention to detail, strong storytelling skills, and warm affection for Coach Siler and all the athletes and students from the Siler tenure came through so clearly in this excellent book. We were honored to assist, and to enjoy the warmth of Tom's caring personality throughout the project. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Coach Tom Pugh. --Jane Hillhouse
I played for Coach Pugh, he was my position Coach at Dobyns-Bennett, 1963, 1964, and 1965. He was demanding and always helped your technique improve. I never knew until his coaching there was such a thing as football technique. He taught us well, with respect, kindness, mental toughness. He never cussed us or was mean in any way. He wanted us to do our best. He taught me about winning and what had to be paid to win. The team of coaches - Coach Tom Brixey, Coach John Whited, and Coach Chuck Lane were great for those days. During those years we only lost one game, Oak Ridge in 1963. We went undefeated in 1964 and 1965. We won the State Championship rating in 1964.
We have had many blessed conversations over the years. I loved my visits to see Coach and Charlotte. We ate hot dogs or I would bring Nick's chicken. They were an ideal couple and raised three great boys - now men!
Blessings and prayers for the Pugh family. I will be missed Coach Pugh!
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Coach Pugh. My brother and I grew up with the “Pugh boys” and John was a classmate of mine. I fondly remember the times when Coach Pugh and Charlotte would play bridge with my parents (Chuck and Juanita Lane) while us kids would try to stay out of trouble. When my father was sick and in a nursing home, Coach Pugh would often visit and share the gospel with Dad. My condolences to John, Mark, and Steve, and their families.
I will always remember Tom, his friendship and the search we had looking for a college to attend. We were invited to try out for a football scholarship at Clemson and ended up trying out at Furman also. I write about it in by book called WHAT IF that can be pulled up on the internet with WHAT IF by W. Joe Wall, Jr. LOVE to all and Gods blessings on each one.
Only former players know the coach as family, blood kin is the best part of being family. We got the see the side of Coach Pugh that was the desire to make us a better team and turn boys in to men. The blood and sweat he gave everyday with all he had. Coach Pugh was a good leader on and off the field, he will always live forever in our hearts. The family can rest assured that hundreds of men that was coached by Tom Pugh have your back and support.
I along with Tony Williams were Co-Captains of the 81 Central Team. We were part of the South/Central split. I think we ended up with 38 players my senior year. Coach Crawford called us the dirty thirty. Many didn’t believe we would be much of a team losing so many brothers to South. Coach would always call Tony and myself aside to asked how the team was doing. I know he really cared about us as players and young men. He prayed for us and wanted us all to know Jesus. I know that from FCA meetings, practices and games. I know he will now meet a lot of young men in heaven that he planted the seed! We ended up 6-4 that year beating some tough teams. I think the highlight to his coaching career was defeating DB that year and earning Big 10 Coach of the Year! I talked to him a few years ago and he remembered more about our team than I remembered. If I can say one thing about Coach Pugh is he cared about the souls of his players!
Brent Helvey
