PUXICO, Mo. -- William Eli Pogue Jr., 77, of Puxico passed away Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the home of a daughter in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 24, 1934, in Osceola, Ark., son of William Eli and Wilma Sweat Pogue Sr. He and Jannette Campbell were married Sept. 21, 1956, in Elk, Mo.

Mr. Pogue made his career in education. He served as principal at Puxico High School and at Mingo. He was also superintendent at Zalma public schools 16 years. He was a member and treasurer of Puxico Christian Church, treasurer of Puxico Masonic Lodge 596, quartermaster of Puxico VFW Post 7822 and served on the Stoddard County 911 Board. He enjoyed golf and community service.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Survivors include a son, Gary Pogue and fiancee Janet of Dyersburg, Tenn.; a daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and David Kinder of Cape Girardeau; two grandsons, Clint Pogue and Jared Kinder; a brother, Kenneth Pogue of Nashville, Tenn.; two sisters, Ruby Murphy of Mena, Ark., Mary Schroeder of Arlington, Va.; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. Sunday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico. VFW and Masonic services will be at 7.

The funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bobby Nordyke of Puxico officiating. Interment will be in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with military rites by Missouri Military Honors and Stoddard County Veterans Honor Guard.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com.