Charles William Pogue, 74 of Jefferson, died Saturday, April 23, 2022. He was born December 29, 1947 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Charles Franklin and Sara Merryman Pogue. Charlie was a 1966 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan High School.
Finishing high school, Charlie served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Saigon, South Vietnam as a mechanic doing aircraft maintenance and repair, retiring from the Air Force at the rank of Staff Sargent.
After the military, he trained and worked as a Federal Coal Mine Inspector for the Coal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) as a Roof Control Specialist. Along with inspecting mines, he participated in numerous testing for mine safety equipment along with a very active member of the Mine Rescue program. His team was called for the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, along with being interviewed for a special on CBS National Morning Show to discuss Coal Mine Rescue, he was interviewed for a special called "Cave In" which highlighted his team and the rigorous training they went through to prepare for emergencies. Throughout his career he was a judge for the annual Coal Mine Rescue Contests, locally in Carmichaels, PA and nationally in Louisville, KY. After Charlie's retirement, he continued to consult for the Federal Bureau of Mines, as well the United Mine Workers Union, contributing to the safety and health of countless coal miners.
Charlie coached his boys in T-Ball and wrestling and was a lifetime member of the Jefferson United Methodist Church, American Legion Post# 954 for over 50 years, and a member of the Teutonia Mannerchor Club, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
On October 11, 1972 he married Marie Miller, who survives.
Also surviving are four sons, Charles and Michelle Pogue of Clermont, FL, Benjamin and Leita Pogue of Jefferson, Michael and Jessica Pogue of Crofton, MD, and Master Sergeant Dayne and Staff Sergeant (R) Jessica Pogue of Cabot, AR; eleven grandchildren; three siblings, Lawrence (Jean) Nanns of Tampa, FL, Patricia (John) Snow of Edinboro, and James (Linda) Pogue of Imperial,; his father and mother in law, Arthur and Angela Miller; sister-in-law’s, Susan Miller Mann and Michele Miller (Russell) Breitmos.
Friends will be received on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 7 pm the hour of services in the Behm Funeral Home, 1477 Jefferson Rd., Jefferson, PA 15344, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, with Rev. Sandra Conti, officiating. Military Honors will be accorded during the services by the United States Air Force and the Greene County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the United States Air Force Assistance Fund @ www.afassistancefund.org. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.
