Henry "Hank" A. Puga

Henry A. "Hank" Puga passed away peacefully at home on January 7, 2026, in Littleton, Colorado. Hank was born June 14th, 1929, in Berwind, Colorado to Antonio and Marie Puga. After his father passed away when Hank was seven years old, he grew up in Trinidad, Colorado with his mother and siblings.

Hank graduated from Trinidad High School, and attended Trinidad Junior College; he was an excellent athlete, participating in track. After college he worked at the Colorado State Hospital, where he met the love of his life, Agnes Scherrer, in 1951.

A veteran of the Korean war, Hank served in the Army as a Corporal in the mental health ward of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, or MASH unit. He earned several medals during his service.

After returning home, he worked at the Colorado State Hospital again, and married Agnes in 1954. He then attended CU in Boulder from 1956 until 1959, when they moved to Denver and he worked various jobs for a couple of years. The family then moved to Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and Hank joined the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department in 1960; he continued working there after the family relocated to south Jefferson County in 1978. While working for the Sheriff's Department he achieved the rank of Lieutenant and worked until his retirement in 1996, except for a year when he worked with the Colorado State Patrol and was based in Manzanola, Colorado. During his time at the Sheriff's Department Hank worked in every department, including patrol, criminal investigations, the Lab and the jail. He was responsible for starting the Sheriff's Department Special Operations Response Team.

After retirement Hank stayed busy working part-time and volunteering for human rights organizations.

Hank and Agnes had seven children and celebrated 71 years of marriage in October of 2025. They were completely devoted to each other.

Hank pursued athletic activities, including skiing, softball and sports activities with his kids.

Hank and Agnes enjoyed the outdoors, traveling around the western United States with their children and on their own. Road trips were the standard.

Hank and Agnes also traveled all over the country and internationally, and they enjoyed cruises together.

Hank took special pleasure and pride in his family, enjoying spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Hank is survived by his wife, Agnes; his children and their spouses Helen, Anthony (Nan), Lawrence (Linda), Agnes (Mark), James (Karen) and Katherine; as well as 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren who will cherish his memory and continue his legacy. He will be sorely missed by many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his son Gregory, his parents and seven siblings.

Funeral Mass, Thursday, March 5, 2026, 11:00 am, Light of the World Catholic Church, 10306 West Bowles Ave., Littleton, CO 80127. Interment 1:00 pm, Fort Logan National Cemetery. Reception to follow interment from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. at The Bloom Room at The Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to your local food bank or shelter.