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Elvin Wyatt Pogue

July 13, 1936 - January 4, 2013
Beech Creek, Kentucky

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“Elvin was a true friend and wonderful humanitarian. He always had a kind word and a big smile that made you glad you knew him. We always...Read More » ”
1 of 22 | Posted by: Betty Cioe Thompson - KY - Friend

“...his laughter rang out through the halls of HKHS...that laughter will forever ring in the hearts of those who knew him. I never had a class with...Read More » ”
2 of 22 | Posted by: Debbie Knight Sheeks - Lexington, KY

“we have known Elvin for many years,he was a wonderful person,he never new a stranger,he always new your name and was always smiling,he truly was a...Read More » ”
3 of 22 | Posted by: patrick and barbara price - KY

“Mr. Pogue was a friend to so many people and will be missed! Recently this quote was told to him, "Joys divided and given away are multiplied many...Read More » ”
4 of 22 | Posted by: Charles and Shirley Perry - KY

“Elvin was a friend of mine from the time we were young and our Dads worked together at Beech Creek Coal Company. We attended church together at...Read More » ”
5 of 22 | Posted by: Peggy Sue (Bandy) Edmonds - KY

“May God's love and peace comfort you all during this very difficult time. Thinking of you Kim. + ”
6 of 22 | Posted by: Jeff & Cindy Bell - Friends

“I loved Mr. Pogue so much. Surely he is making a band full of angels rejoice in Heaven...I will miss you. ”
7 of 22 | Posted by: Dottie Swain - Shelbyville, TN

“I remember meeting Mr. Pogue through my band director Ed Boston (Caverna HS). I remember marching in the Hughes-Kirk Band Contest. I became a band...Read More » ”
8 of 22 | Posted by: Robbie Fudge - Glasgow, KY

“Mr. Pogue was my music teacher years ago, when I was a shy little girl in grade school....I still remember the joy of going to music class.....my...Read More » ”
9 of 22 | Posted by: BrendaWhitmer

“Unspoken words,but God truely has brought home his angel. He was there for everyone no matter what you had done nor what your name was. Blessed...Read More » ”
10 of 22 | Posted by: Karen Gardner - Dunmor, KY

“There are not words to say that would express how much this wonderful soul will be missed. I have known Elvin as long as I have known anyone. I grow...Read More » ”
11 of 22 | Posted by: Naomi Baker - Penrod, KY - Friend

“Elvin, there are so many memories of good times our families had together.Thank you so much for the many lives you touched and the Love you had for...Read More » ”
12 of 22 | Posted by: Dorothy Renwick Carver - KY

“The obituary for Mr. Pogue was very well written, I don't think there's enough anyone can say about him to cover the area that he covered in his...Read More » ”
13 of 22 | Posted by: janice - Greenville, KY

“Mr. Pogue brings visions of some of the best times during my school years in band. May he be remembered for all the lives he touched and the music...Read More » ”
14 of 22 | Posted by: Mia Justice Herring - Atlanta, GA

“"Memories flood the corners of my mind" So many that include Elvin Pogue I know I can't name them all. As a young girl I first met Elvin through my...Read More » ”
15 of 22 | Posted by: Gwenda Vincent - Auburn, KY

“I loved Mr. Pogue. He was always so nice to me. He fought for the underdogs and kept the trouble makers in line. He also taught my mom in school...Read More » ”
16 of 22 | Posted by: Brandie - Greenville, KY

“So sorry for your lose. Knew Mr Pogue thru his students and brother Mr Robet Pogue was my Jr high teacher. May God be with and bless family and...Read More » ”
17 of 22 | Posted by: David G. Adler - Greenwood, IN

“Booney was a good man, always had a smile no matter what the situation. He was a great teacher and friend. ”
18 of 22 | Posted by: Linda Aldridge Smith - Greenville, KY

“Mr. Pogue was one of the best guys anyone could meet. He and Sue would treat me like I was family any time I came around, of course was fairly often...Read More » ”
19 of 22 | Posted by: Roy Kyle - Greenville, KY

“It has been my honor and pleasure to know you for many years. Thank you the best school memories while marching in the Hughes Kirk Band Color Guard....Read More » ”
20 of 22 | Posted by: Charlotte Whitney - Alabaster, AL

“What can be said about a man who was larger than life. I've know Elvin my entire life. I've often laughed about the stories he would tell me about...Read More » ”
21 of 22 | Posted by: Rita Mallory - Drakesboro, KY

“Elvin Pogue was a gentleman and every word on his obituary is so true. I learned today of his passing and we who knew him and loved him are very...Read More » ”
22 of 22 | Posted by: Judy Peck - The Villages, FL

Beech Creek – Elvin Wyatt Pogue, 76, of Beech Creek, Kentucky, died on Friday, January 4, 2013 at his home. "Mr. Pogue", as he is known to so many people in this community, has been called home to be united with Jesus and those precious family and friends who have gone before him.
Mr. Pogue was born in Beech Creek on July 17, 1936. He attended Hughes-Kirk High School 12 years, graduating in 1955. He began attending Murray State University in August 1955 and completed his first full year in May 1956. He was then contacted during the spring semester regarding a teaching position at Bremen High School. With only 34 college hours behind him, he was hired with an Emergency Teaching Certificate to teach music at Bremen Consolidated High School. He had a passion and love for music and students from day one. Not being much older than the high school students he was teaching, he became very close friends with many of those students. Mr. Pogue continued teaching music, leading the chorus and building and directing the marching band through 1963. Those eight years began a teaching career that would affect the lives of hundreds of students and families throughout the remainder of his life. During several summers, Mr. Pogue took great pride in working as a tour guide at Mammoth Cave Naitonal Park in south central Kentucky. He remained an ambassador for the National Park throughout his lifetime, often encouraging people he met to visit the elaborate cave system.
Mr. Pogue married the love of his life, Sue Carroll Sallee, on December 26, 1964. Their son, Todd, was born on October, 1967. Although the Pogues only had one biological child, they became surrogate parents, mentors and caregivers to hundreds of students throughout their lives. The two of them made a career in the Muhlenberg County School system, educating and counseling the students and families of their home community. Mr. Pogue completed his Bachelor's degree in music and, soon after, his Master's degree in counseling, at Western Kentucky University. Although he chose counseling as his Master's study, his intention was never to "officially" become a counselor, but to continue in his music teaching position, where, as he often said, he could touch so many more lives. He continued and, eventually finished, his career as a music teacher and band director at his dearly loved alma mater, Hughes-Kirkpatrick High School.
Mr. Pogue built a storied, successful marching band program at Hughes-Kirk, producing winning seasons in 26 of his 28 years as the leader of the Marching Tiger band. Although the school population, and therefore, the band membership was small compared to other schools, the impact the program had on music in Muhlenberg County and throughout the state of Kentucky continues today. Mr. Pogue served as a mentor and friend to numerous band directors throughout the region and state and remained friends with them throughout his lifetime. Several of Mr. Pogue's former students became music teachers, band directors and principals. In addition, numerous former students have returned to his home in Beech Creek over the years to thank him and credit him with instilling a pride and discipline that inspired them to reach their goals and become successful, happy and prosperous adults. The walls of his home still today boast senior pictures of students who lovingly referred to him as their "second dad". Mr. Pogue recently shared with someone that it was his passion and love for young people that had driven both he and his wife, Sue, to devote their lives to teaching and counseling. He remarked that he had tried to live his life with no regrets, let students know his home was always open to them day or night and hope that he positively impacted lives along the way. After Mr. Pogue's retirement in 1989, he became a much sought after adjudicator at marching band competitions throughout western and central Kentucky.
The Pogues not only opened their home to their students, but also to foreign exchange students from Colombia, Brazil and Germany. Their first exchange student, Guillermo Arbelaez, not only completed one year of high school while living with the Pogues, but chose to attend Western Kentucky University for his bachelor and master's degrees. During the years he attended WKU, Beech Creek was his home and since that time, the Pogues have been his family. Several years after Sue's death, Mr. Pogue once again opened his home to foreign students, hosting one young man from Brazil and eventually, three from Germany. Mr. Pogue enjoyed traveling the country and the world and made visits to Switzerland and Germany to visit with his exchange students on several occasions.
Mr. Pogue's dedication to his family, students and community was in large part due to his lifelong commitment to Jesus Christ. He was a member of Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church where his grandfather, Hugh Pogue, a Baptist minister, was a founding member. Upon his profession of faith, he was baptized into the membership at a young age. He lended his musical talent to the church, serving as their choir director for nearly 50 years. In addition, he was ordained by the church as a deacon on July 23, 1978. Mr. Pogue's Christian ministry through music reached far beyond the scope of the church he called home. Although he was known for his bigger than life personality and his honest, often very blunt, advice and comments, he remained a very humble man whose goal in life was simply to make a positive difference in the lives of others. When recognized at his retirement for the impact he had made on so many lives, he wept humbly, giving all praise and glory to God for allowing him to play some small part in the lives of the young people he loved so dearly – not only those students who were in marching band or chorus, but every student he had the opportunity to minister to throughout his teaching career, including many who only took music so they

continued...

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Sunday, January 06
5:00 PM

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536 Bradford Street
Beechmont, KY 42326

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Visitation

Monday, January 07
10:00 AM

Tucker Beechmont Funeral Home
536 Bradford Street
Beechmont, KY 42326

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Funeral Service

Monday, January 07
2:00 PM

Tucker Beechmont Funeral Home
536 Bradford Street
Beechmont, KY 42326

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Elvin was a true friend and wonderful humanitarian. He always had a kind word and a big smile that made you glad you knew him.
We always considered him part of our family.

With Christian Love,
Betty and John Thompson

Posted by: Betty Cioe Thompson - Russellville, KY - Friend Feb 02, 2013

...his laughter rang out through the halls of HKHS...that laughter will forever ring in the hearts of those who knew him. I never had a class with him but knew him well as most all students did...he, as they say, "never met a stranger"
...the light in his eyes will always shine in the darkness.
...I also knew him from his brother, Robert Pogue, who taught Jr High at DKHS.
...God Bless you Kim, and my deepest sympathy to all the family. He is now making beautiful music with the angels.
............RIP Mr. Pogue

Posted by: Debbie Knight Sheeks - Lexington, KY - Student at HKHS Jan 16, 2013

we have known Elvin for many years,he was a wonderful person,he never new a stranger,he always new your name and was always smiling,he truly was a wonderful person and will be missed greatly,!

Posted by: patrick and barbara price - lewisburg, KY - friend Jan 11, 2013

Mr. Pogue was a friend to so many people and will be missed! Recently this quote was told to him, "Joys divided and given away are multiplied many times over." Elvin and Sue Pogue gave of their joys, time, and efforts to so many. They have been multiplied many times over by those blessed with the presence of Elvin and Sue in their lives.

Posted by: Charles and Shirley Perry - Dunmor, KY - Friend Jan 09, 2013

Elvin was a friend of mine from the time we were young and our Dads worked together at Beech Creek Coal Company. We attended church together at Beech Creek Baptist Church and we went to Murray State together for one year. I taught at Bremen with him and then at Hughes Kirk. I moved to Ledbetter in Livingston County, and lost contact but I still remember the fun times we had together and how great he was in music. His sister, Betty, and I were great friends. I know Elvin will be missed.

Posted by: Peggy Sue (Bandy) Edmonds - Ledbetter, KY - Friend Jan 08, 2013

May God's love and peace comfort you all during this very difficult time. Thinking of you Kim. +

Posted by: Jeff & Cindy Bell - Friends Jan 07, 2013

I loved Mr. Pogue so much. Surely he is making a band full of angels rejoice in Heaven...I will miss you.

Posted by: Dottie Swain

- Shelbyville, TN - Friend and student years ago Jan 07, 2013

I remember meeting Mr. Pogue through my band director Ed Boston (Caverna HS). I remember marching in the Hughes-Kirk Band Contest. I became a band director and value every memory that I have of seeing and talking with Mr. Pogue. He was a great man...he will be missed by all who knew him.

Posted by: Robbie Fudge - Glasgow, KY - Friend Jan 07, 2013

Mr. Pogue was my music teacher years ago, when I was a shy little girl in grade school....I still remember the joy of going to music class.....my favorite part of the day....I'm sure he's leading the Heavenly chior in beautiful melody today....

Posted by: BrendaWhitmer Jan 07, 2013

Unspoken words,but God truely has brought home his angel. He was there for everyone no matter what you had done nor what your name was. Blessed memories.

Posted by: Karen Gardner - Dunmor, KY - Friend Jan 07, 2013

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