Jeffrey Pugmire

Jeffrey Stephen Pugmire passed away after a valiant battle with cancer on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at his home in Star, Idaho. He was surrounded by his wife and six children, with more loved ones in the next room. Jeff was born February 11, 1966 in American Fork, Utah to Stephen and Nina Pugmire, the oldest of seven children. Soon after, the family moved to Montpelier, Idaho where he spent an idyllic childhood visiting the family dairy farm and learning to work hard and have faith in the Lord and His Gospel. He was also taught to love learning and proved to be quick to learn and quicker to make a joke, as anyone acquainted with his sense of humor can attest. His siblings were the perfect butt to his jokes but always his best friends. When he was in the seventh grade, the family moved to Boise, Idaho. Here he grew and developed his talents, especially in athletics. He excelled in track, field, football, and basketball. He graduated in 1984 from Meridian High School, where he lettered in football and track. The following year he volunteered to serve a full-time 2-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Bernadino, California. He worked diligently to share his testimony of the Lord’s Gospel and was selected to serve as assistant to the mission president. After his mission he worked while attending Boise State University, where he began dating and soon married Pam, the love of his life. Jeff and Pam were sealed in the Boise, Idaho Temple in August of 1990. Together they worked hard to raise their six children. Jeff took very seriously his role as a father, and when asked to describe himself, he always said he was a life coach for six very important and demanding clients. He was hands-on in the activities of his children and soon was coaching their sports teams. He took it as an opportunity to mentor the players not only in sports but in life. In 2010 he started an insurance brokerage, starting at the bottom to teach himself the industry. In the following years, the brokerage would grow to become the largest franchisee in the company’s history. During this time, he began coaching on Eagle High School’s basketball program, seeing the team to state tournaments several times. Aside from being a business owner and coach, he also actively served in his congregation throughout his life. Many will remember him as a member of the Star 1st ward Bishopric, and most recently as the ward mission leader, coordinating efforts to share the Gospel in the area. He was passionate about sharing the Gospel and advised five of his children while on their own missions. In his own words, he said, “If I could only leave one thing to my kids it would be to have them develop a sound life foundation based on Gospel principles. I…want them to know that I believe.” He is survived by his father, Stephen Pugmire, his mother, Nina Pugmire, his wife, Pam, his children, Paige (and Will) Jones, Preston (and Sami) Pugmire, Josh (and Jenna) Pugmire, Faith Pugmire, Porter Pugmire, and Brig Pugmire, and granddaughter Isabel Jones. He is also survived by his six siblings, their spouses, and many beloved nieces and nephews