Hugh Ross Middleton Hugh Ross Middleton passed from this life Aug. 21, 2020, after a four-year battle with cancer. Hugh was laid to rest at the VA National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix. A private service will be held at 10 a.m. on, Friday, Oct. 16, at Mesa Baseline Bible Assembly. Hugh was born Dec. 16, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas, to Jonathan and Annie Middleton. The oldest of six children, Christine, Bonnie, Joseph, Melvin and Etta. He returned to central Arizona as a child. On Dec. 1, 1950, he volunteered to serve in the US Airforce, assigned to the 86th Material Squadron APO 65 as a supply sergeant in Germany during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged Sept. 4, 1954, returning to Arizona. He attended Southwestern Assemblies of God College in Waxahachie, Texas. Returning to Arizona, he married Lavinia Hogan on Nov. 27, 1956. He was an assistant pastor in Prescott in 1956. His first pastorate was in Mammoth, then Willcox, then Benson. While in Benson he built his first church. In Holbrook in 1969 he built the Assembly of God church on Mission Lane. He drove an ambulance for Owens Mortuary, built the Holbrook Truck Terminal, taught classes at the Northland Pioneer Community College and built or remodeled Native American churches at Fort Defiance, Polacca, Jeddito, Teesto, Bitahooche, Cibecue, Holbrook and Winslow. He pastored the Saint Johns Assembly, building a new church. In 1988, he and Vinnie moved to Mesa to pastor and again build Baseline Bible Assembly. After retiring, he pastored at Apache Junction Assembly. He was preceded in death by parents, John and Anne; siblings, Melvin, Etta and Christine; son, Dale; and granddaughter, Robin. He is survived by his wife, Lavinia, sister, Bonnie; brother, Joseph; sons, Duane (Cheryl), Robert (Julie) and Melvin; grandchildren, Carissa (Evan Fernald), Cayla (Brett Melendez), Aleah, Roman (Sabrina) and Alarae, MacKenzie; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Daisey, Blake and Brady.
