STATESBORO, Ga. (ABP) — R. Quinn Pugh Sr., who served as executive director of the Baptist Convention of New York for 12 years before retiring in 1996, died Feb. 13 following heart surgery at a Savannah, Ga., hospital. He was 74.
Before going to work for the New York convention, Pugh led the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association from 1979-84 in expanding its ministry throughout the diverse population of New York City.
Pugh and his wife, Norma, moved to Statesboro, Ga., in 1997 where he continued his ministry in retirement. He was an avid historian, writer, preacher and dramatist who often portrayed historic Baptist figures.
During a Feb. 17 memorial service at First Baptist Church of Statesboro, where he was a member, Pugh was remembered as a selfless encourager with a global outlook and a deep commitment to missions.
Pugh was deeply involved in the Baptist World Alliance and an advocate for its efforts to unite Baptists worldwide.
Born in Palestine, Texas, Pugh was raised in the rural community of Tennessee Colony, Texas, where he will be buried. He earned degrees from East Texas State University in Marshall, Texas, Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga., Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga., and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
Pugh was pastor of churches in Louisiana, Georgia, New Jersey, Kentucky and Maryland. In addition to his wife, Norma, and a sister, Mary Joy Pugh Simms, he is survived by two children, Ben and Ruth, and three grandchildren.
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