Harold Dean Pugh

Harold Dean Pugh, 71, of Albany, Oregon passed away unexpectedly on May 12, 2025. Dean, as he was known to his family and friends, was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1954 to Jasper A. Pugh and Clara (Day) Pugh. Dean was preceded in death by his father Jasper (2011), his mother Clara (1959), and his stepmother Marvine (Brand) (2002). Dean is survived by his wife of 42 years Sharon, his three sons Aiden, Brent (Juli), and Jackson (Carolyn), grandsons Phillip and Jackson Jr. (called JJ), and brothers Garry (Cindy), Daryl, Byron, Galen (Tammy), and Oren.

Dean spent his childhood years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and attended Louisiana State University where he obtained his BS in Forest Resources Production and Management. Employment opportunities brought him to Portland, Oregon, where he met his future wife Sharon. Their life path followed job changes, including several years in Many, Louisiana and Beaumont, Texas before returning to Portland. Dean retired from Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, in the Manufacturing Information Technology Group in 2016 and in the years that followed enjoyed his leisure, especially time with his immediate and extended family. In his younger years he loved hunting, starting in Louisiana with squirrels and deer and later in Oregon with elk. He, Sharon and the kids enjoyed frequent camping trips in the scenic Oregon countryside. He took pleasure hosting out of state family and friends so they could see why he was so fond of his adopted home state.

The family is planning a private memorial service at their favorite wilderness campground where many fond memories were formed. Dean was a lifelong lover of the outdoors and in his memory, the family suggests planting a tree in his memory or contributions to a forest restoration organization, such as:

SOUL (Sustaining Our Urban Landscape) New Orleans https://soulnola.org/about/

Arbor Day Foundation www.arborday.org