Garald Pugh

Garald Pugh was born August 14, 1949 in Barry County, Missouri the son of Winfred and Nadine (Webber) Pugh. Preceding him to heaven were his parents and son Joel Pugh. Surviving are his wife Cara Pugh; daughter, Tonya Peck and husband Keniston of Webb City, Missouri; two sons, Scott Pugh and wife Shanna of Carthage, Missouri and Steve Pugh of Seneca/Joplin, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Braden, Aubrey, Joel, Colt, Dylan, Christian, Bella and Peyton; three brothers, Jerald Pugh and wife Enez of Belleville, Illinois, David Pugh of St. Charles, Missouri and Dennis Pugh of St. Charles, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews and other loving family.

On August 13, 1969 Garald made the second best decision of his life by marrying Cara Lynn Glaze. His greatest decision was accepting Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Those two decisions became Garald's foundation for Life!

Garald enjoyed 46 years with Cara on a journey of raising 4 children and loving on 8 grandchildren. Garald loved his family. He was in love with his wife Cara and together they enjoyed countless hours at their kids and grandkids activities. They cheered them on in basketball, baseball, cross country, track, volleyball, wrestling, football and any other activity they were involved in. He adored his family and his greatest desire was that they know Jesus!

Garald was a Denver Broncos, St. Louis Cardinals, Mizzou and OU fan. However he would much rather sit in a hot gymnasium or on old wooden bleachers watching his grandkids play ball than have the best seats in the biggest major league stadium.

Garald spoke life into his kids and grandkids! He encouraged, supported and picked them up when they were down. He believed in each and every one of them and wanted the absolute best for them. Garald loved them no matter what and prayed for them often. He was also a great coach! It didn't matter if he was coaching his sons or grandkids, watching from the stands or on the sideline yelling, he always did it with a love for them. He was supportive if they were playing or coaching! Most of all he believed what they wrote on their sneakers! Phil 4:13.


For over 40 years Garald served as a pastor. He served churches in Missouri, Colorado and Kansas. He also helped churches and served people across the United States as well as other countries when he got the chance. He loved people and was an extension of God's hand reaching out to those in need of a Saviour. His greatest desire in ministry was for a lost world to know Jesus and to comfort and love the hurting.

Garald's ministry as a pastor began at Main and Lynn streets in Springfield, Missouri. There he was blessed to pastor many family and friends.

In 1981 Garald felt the call of God and he, his wife and 4 children moved to Wheatridge, Colorado. As the church grew the need for a new building arose and Lakewood Bible Chapel was built. Garald and his family enjoyed many years of ministry in Colorado and made many lasting friendships.

In 1991 Garald felt God's call to start Cornerstone Community Church in Olathe, Kansas and later a sister church in Blue Valley (Stanley, KS). For over 10 years God blessed Garald's ministries at Cornerstone. It included the purchase of 36 acres in Olathe and the building of the Joe Pugh Family Life Center (named after Garald and Cara's son who preceded Garald to heaven in 2001).

With many of the dreams for the Cornerstone Ministry fulfilled Garald felt God's calling to move. He and Cara made their way to Carthage, Missouri. However their call to ministry was in Stockton, Missouri at Church on the Hill. God blessed their ministry as they built a new youth center followed by a large addition to accommodate God's blessing in church growth. After nearly 10 years and many dreams remaining for ministry, Garald felt God's calling to Kinser Chapel of Hope in Springfield, Missouri.

For nearly three years Garald and Cara served Kinser Chapel of Hope. God blessed their ministry including the completion of a multipurpose building and a bus ministry for children.

Another passion Garald had was to help struggling churches and pastors. He worked diligently to help build up, instruct, be supportive through prayer and follow up for many churches.

Garald wanted everyone he met to know the God that was so special to him. The God that stayed close to him, never gave up on him and showed him love and grace daily. He would want you to know that if you are hurting there is a Saviour who loves you! If you think what you are going through is impossible, he would want you to know that through God all things are possible! If you are hurting so much that you think your heart can't break into anymore pieces, he would tell you that God's grace is sufficient! If you have never accepted Jesus into your heart, he would tell you that Jesus loved you so much he gave his life for you. You are more special to Jesus than anything and he so wants you to accept him. He would want you to know that there is a celebration in heaven waiting to start when you say yes to Jesus and invite him into your heart!

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Garald Pugh Memorial Fund c/o Enterprise Bank and Trust 11970 S Blackbob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062.

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