Cachetmaker Julian Pugh of Conroe, Texas, succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease July 3 at age 76. As a youngster he collected coins, stamps, and first day covers. In the 1970s he decided to sell his coins and stamps and focus on FDCs. He contacted cachetmaker Lois Hamilton who became his mentor and advised Julian how to use cachets to heighten the interest of first day covers.

As he developed his artwork in the cachet field under Hamilton’s tutelage, he realized that he could turn his hobby into a business. In 1980 Julian joined AFDCS and in 1982 he attended his first first-day ceremony, for the gliders airmail postal card, in Houston, Texas. Shortly after, he became life member 186. He began networking with other cachetmakers, and also prepared informative stuffers to enclose in his FDCs.

Pugh became a regular attendee at AFDCS annual conventions. He and his wife, Sharon, would sometimes bring their granddaughter Kaitlyn to the shows. He assumed an active role in the society, helping to establish the Gulf Coast Chapter and serving as chapter coördinator and auction chairman. He served on the board of directors from 1992 to 2009 and as membership chairman and executive committee member from 2002 to 2008.

Pugh was a member of the Americover planning committee for six years, and argued to have the show move around the country. He and Sharon produced cachets for the AFDCS and donated many covers to society auctions. He was a frequent winner in the annual cachetmakers contest.

In 1995, Pugh received the Glenn C. Michel Special Recognition award. In 2009 he was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for his endless support of the AFDCS and the hobby.

In 2008 he and Lois Hamilton were honored with life memberships in the Cachetmakers Association.

Pugh exhibited his leadership qualities in high school where he was president of student council, president of the debating club, and editor-in-chief of the yearbook. He became a top salesman and then vice president of sales for the homebuilding firm, Superior Homes.

Despite his time-consuming vocation and hobby, Julian found time to be a youth minister to teens and a volunteer sports announcer for summer swim league teams. Later he served as a mentor to recovering drug and alcohol addicts, even visiting them in jail when they slipped back.

Pugh is survived by his wife, a brother Tommy, two sons, a daughter, and five grandchildren. His daughter, Shawnna Pugh-Altieri, continues to run the family business of Pugh Cachets

-Alan Warren