Ronald Gene Puglsey

Ronald Gene Pugsley made his journey to heaven on July 9, 2024, at 8:45 in the morning, bringing an end to a challenging life of medical issues. In total, he had been through over 40 surgeries in his 75 years and it took a toll on him that became evident when he made the choice to discontinue medical care and let nature take its course. His passing was peaceful under the care of nursing staff of Canyon West Cascadia in Caldwell and Idaho Home Health & Hospice. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Orrie Pugsley; two older brothers, Dale and Loren Pugsley; nephew, Brian Pugsley; and great granddaughter, Amelia Archer. He was also widowed by second wife, Terri Pugsley, and third wife, Sylvia Pugsley. Ron is survived by his children: Kirk (Sheryl) Pugsley, Aaron (Tami) Pugsley, and Rebecca Simmons; as well as his grandchildren: Britany (Corey) Cunningham, Justin (Shelby) Pugsley, Shelby (Kevin) Archer, Taylor Pugsley, and Ryker and Gunnar Simmons. Ron also had four surviving great grandchildren: Aiden and Avery Pugsley, and Elliot and Adalyn Archer. He is also survived by sister in-laws, Roberta Pugsley and Marlene Pugsley; and nieces and nephews: Michael Pugsley, Michelle Randall, Regina Pugsley-Clark, and Robyn Pugsley-Curtis.

Ron was born on May 28, 1949, and grew up in rural Caldwell on the family farm in the area near Sunny Slope. He talked fondly about memories of farm life, milking cows and working in the fields. At the age of fourteen, Dad was involved in a farming accident when a loaded hay wagon rolled on top of him, crushing his knees and requiring him to spend the rest of the summer in a cast up to his armpits. This would be the first of many knee surgeries he would endure over his life. After recuperating, he was able to enjoy sports throughout his high school years as a Vallivue Falcon in both baseball and basketball. As we have been going through Dad’s home, we have encountered a few newspaper articles featuring dad and his athletic prowess. It was during his time at Vallivue that he met his would-be wife, Claudia Barklow. Together, they raised their three children, giving them a great upbringing, teaching them how to raise and care for animals on the five-acre farm on Beet Road. In addition to farming, Dad had grown up hunting, fishing, and camping, a pastime that we did as a family. There were many trips to Hazard Lakes, Stanley, and Redfish Lakes that created fond memories. With Dad’s brother, Loren, and our grandparents all living so close we kids formed strong bonds with family and frequently enjoyed pheasant hunts on the farm. Dad also taught us how to hunt big game, harvesting elk and deer. Family vacations to the Oregon coast to go deep sea fishing were also a lot of fun. One of Dad’s biggest wishes was to go fishing in Alaska and unfortunately, that dream was never realized. 

Dad also showed us how to work hard and was a successful businessman at an early age. He graduated from Boise Junior College with a degree in Office Machine Repair and ultimately became half owner of Capitol Office Machine Sales and Service. In his hay day, Dad was the guy to call when your IBM Selectric Typewriter was on the fritz. As Aaron and I got older, we would help Dad clean the typewriters used in the valley’s high school typing labs. However, with the advent of computers, the business started to fail. Due to legal noncompete clauses in his contract, the family fell on hard times and Dad found himself taking up gopher trapping to make ends meet. Dad was one of the most skilled gopher trappers I think ever existed. He enjoyed it and worked hard at doing a good job for landowners. He was so successful that some of his customers couldn’t believe the number of rodents he was eliminating. Dad always had some great stories to tell about the gophers he had caught over the year. I remember many stories that he told of gopher trapping as a kid. One story I remember from Dad took place as a student at Huston School that still stands today as a residence. Dad said that while in class he could see through the window that there was an albino gopher digging in the school yard and one of the other kids who also trapped gophers had seen it as well. The two of them both lied to the teacher to get outside to try to catch the prized rodent. In the end, neither boy caught that gopher and dad said that in all his years he never saw another albino gopher again. 

In 1984, Dad happened on to another business opportunity as a Matco Tool Distributer. He purchased his first truck and set out to make a living. It was a tough business, but he set records that year becoming the company’s Northwest Rookie of the Year, and as a reward, he won a trip to Hawaii. Neither Mom nor Dad had been out of the continental United States, so it was a great opportunity for them. The trip was great until both had too much sun and were dehydrated. Mom suffered a fall and got a ride in an ambulance during a tropical storm and Dad’s sunburns were so severe that they were concerned he might have permanent scars. Both recovered eventually, but said they would never travel to Hawaii again. Dad ran the business for several years until he had some serious health problems. After a couple of debilitating surgeries and heart troubles Dad could no longer handle the day-to-day running of the truck. In 1992, I (Kirk) with my young family, moved back home to attempt to run the truck to make a living to support both families, but the strain was too great, and the decision was made to shut the business down. Dad was medically disabled at that point, and unable to work due to physical restrictions and all of this put great strain on Ron and Claudia’s marriage. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1995.

Ron married his second wife, Terri Calhoune, in June of 1996. They built a life together and with Terri’s medical background, she helped Dad through several medical issues and he was able to gain strength enough to get back to enjoying some hunting and fishing. Dad had a renewed vigor for fly tying and became very good at producing some of the most desired flies for catching trophy fish. They travelled to fly tying conventions around the northwest and Dad was a key presenter at several of the symposiums. Dad also went back to gopher trapping to make some play money. Unfortunately, due to an unknown congenital heart condition, Terri died in transit during a trip to Dad’s oldest brother, Dale’s, funeral in March of 2006. 

Ron met his third wife, Sylvia Wade, through church and they were married in April of 2007. Together, they enjoyed raising Dachshund puppies. They also enjoyed making jewelry together. Due to their combined failing health, they became home bodies and only traveled a couple of times during their marriage. Sylvia passed away in August of 2022. 

Dad was happiest when he was out doing things with Aaron and I or the grandkids. It was during his last fishing trip that he took a fall and broke his leg. The chain of events and hurdles that resulted from his injury were very challenging and I, for one, am thankful for the time I got to spend with him, even through the challenges and struggles. He made his decision to meet God on his terms and succeeded in doing so. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held for Claudia and Ron on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 4:30 pm at Caldwell Memorial Park Bandshell in Caldwell. Cremation services are under the care of All Valley Cremation, Nampa.