Mr. Milton Hutchins Pugsley, 90, of Pentwater passed away at home, Friday, May 1, 2015. He was born Milton Hutchins Pugsley in Hart Sept. 24, 1924 to Judge Earl and Alice (Hutchins) Pugsley. He was raised in Hart and graduated from Hart High School in the Class of 1942. He attended one semester of college before enlisting as a Naval Aviation Cadet in 1943 receiving his Wings in 1944. After the war he married Barbara Fuller on Aug. 25, 1946 and returned to finish his degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University in 1949.
He worked as Asst. Plant Manager for the Hart Cherry Packers before being recalled to the Navy during the Korean War. In 1956 he left active duty remaining in the Reserves until retiring as a Commander with 21 years of service. He began his career in executive aviation with Continental Oil Company in Houston, Texas. He was later hired by Chrysler Motor Company to start an Air Transport Department for their key executives. He retired from Chrysler as President of Pentastar Aviation in 1991 after 27 years. He lived in Rhode Island, Florida, Texas and Plymouth, Mich. before returning to Pentwater and the family cottage in 1991.
He received the Doswell Award from the National Business Aviation Association for lifelong achievement on behalf of Business Aviation, a Business Aviation Meritorious Award from the Flight Safety Foundation, FAA Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions to Synthetic Vision Technologies, and Flight Department of the Year from Professional Pilot. In 2006 he was recognized as the Pentwater Citizen of the Year.
He was active in Pentwater VFW Post 6017, the Pentwater Service Club, Board of trustees at Hart Congregational Church, and Pentwater Township Planning Commission. He was a member of the American Legion Post 76, Pentwater Lake Association, Pentwater Sports Fishing Association, Pentwater Yacht Club, and was a member of the Pentwater Township Planning Commission from 1996 to 1999. He enjoyed making things happen along with birding and fishing, especially fly-fishing.
Milt is survived by sons, Paul (Brenda) Pugsley and Richard (Jean) Pugsley; grandchildren, Jennifer (Brahm) Windeler, Rachel Russell and Robin (Andrew) Lawrence; step-grandchildren, Joseph Gauntt and Jill (Brian) Nelson; seventeen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara in 2006; sisters, Marian (Pugsley) Alborell and Dorothy (Pugsley) Landon and Mildred Greene.
Family will receive friends Friday, May 8, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at the King Funeral Home, Hart Michigan. A Memorial Service for family and Congregational Church members will be held Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 11:00 at Hart Congregational United Church of Christ with Rev. George Reed officiating. A Memorial Service for the community and VFW will be held Saturday, May 9 at 2:00 at the Village Green in Pentwater. In case of inclement weather the Memorial Service will be held at the Pentwater High School. Interment will follow in Hart Cemetery with military rites. Memorials to the Hart Congregational United Church of Christ c/o Stained Glass Restoration Fund 408 S State St, Hart MI 49420 are appreciated. www.hartcongregationalucc.org.
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