Tony Morris Pogue

Tony Morris Pogue passed away on May 16, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, kindness, and service. Tony was born May 12, 1946 in Maury County to the late Nina Noles and Elmer Leath Pogue. A man of diverse talents and deep generosity, Tony touched the lives of many through his work, his friendships, and his unwavering commitment to family.

Tony proudly served his country in the United States Army, enlisting in September 1965 and stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he served as a cook until his honorable discharge in 1967. It was during this time that he began developing a passion for cooking—a skill he would refine and enjoy throughout his life.

Following his military service, Tony earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Tennessee. He began his professional career at Genesco in Nashville before joining Union Carbide Corporation. He served as a plant accountant in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and later transferred to Niagara Falls, New York, where he worked for 3½ years as plant controller for three separate divisions.

Tony later returned to Tennessee with his family to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in the technology sector. He was co-owner and partner alongside his brother, in three computer startup companies and a property management company. Together with his brother Bill, Tony helped provide cutting-edge software and hardware development, networking, and consulting services to local businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and major government agencies including FEMA, SBA, the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Among their most notable achievements were the development of the Space Shuttle launch countdown control system for NASA, disaster recovery and procurement systems for FEMA and SBA, budgeting systems for the Army, and control services for Navy Nuclear Submarine Bases and the Air Force. He sold, installed, and managed supercomputers that were responsible for SAM systems that intercepted incoming enemy missiles during the Iraq War. Tony served as both financial and general manager for all of these ventures.

After the successful sale of their computer businesses, Tony transitioned into a rewarding 15-year career in real estate, beginning with Keller Williams and ultimately retired with Crye-Leike Realtors.

Tony’s talents didn’t end with technology and business—he was also a master griller and an expert butcher. Known for cooking delicious meals for friends and family, he especially loved using his cherished Big Green Egg grill. He found great joy in outdoor pastimes such as fishing—particularly on the White River in Arkansas, he found peace in simple pleasures spending afternoon on the golf course, mowing his properties while listening to talk radio, and ending the day by a crackling fire with those he loved most.

A passionate University of Tennessee fan, Tony cheered on the Vols with unmatched enthusiasm. His outgoing nature, kind soul, and gentle demeanor drew people to him effortlessly. Tony will be remembered for his warmth, his brilliance, and the love he so freely gave to those around him. Tony was a persona that raised up those around him, and his caring nature was infectious, to know him was to love him, he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Tony is survived by his wife of Joanne Mullins Pogue; daughter: Christie Pogue: siblings: Lewis Pogue, Jim Pogue, Joan Graham, Wilma Arrington, Jack Pogue, Larry (Shirley) Pogue, Sharon Strange, Betty Peters, Bill (Linda) Pogue; and numerous nieces and nephews. special friends: Alan Blevins and Ginger Cothran; his “other daughters”: Daphne Rushing, Linda Kay Windham, and Trish Holland; and care team: Kay Lott, Melinda Hodge, Anna Soph.

Tony is preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents: Lillie Flowers Noles and Jessie Noles; Paternal Grandparents: Emma Sharp Pogue and Samuel Harvey Pogue; siblings: Dorothy King and Wilburn Pogue.

The family will visit with friends Monday, May 19th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 20th at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home with burial to follow at the Arbors in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family is having a reception immediately following the graveside in Blevins Hall Reception Center within Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, TN.

Pallbearers will be: Michael Thomas, Randy Higgs, Mike Bryan, Mike Looper, Alan Blevins, Matt Thurman.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Mike Greene, Judge Bob Jones, and Crye-Leike Realtors.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in Tony’s name.

Williams Funeral Home has been entrusted with Tony’s care. Condolences can be given to the family online at www.williamsfh.com