Joseph Bernard Hughes

Joe Hughes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend to many, passed away on July 31, 2023, in Missouri at the age of 91. He is preceded in death by his parents Samuel Bernard Hughes and Frances Catharine Hughes Blaine, stepfather Henry Blaine, and youngest brother, Andy Salter. He is survived by his wife Vauna Narine Hughes, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (listed below), his brothers Myron (Mike) Hughes and wife Joyce, David Blaine, Jim Blaine and wife Jo, Vernon Slater and wife Kathy, Paul Salter, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Joe and Narine’s descendants include Gil Hughes (son) & wife Allyson, Joe Hughes (grandson) & wife Sarah, great-grandchildren Audrey, Eli, and Holly, Gillian Hughes (granddaughter), Jennifer Hughes (granddaughter), Natalie Hughes (granddaughter), Greg (son) & wife Laura Hughes, Eric (grandson) & wife Hannah, Megan Flores (granddaughter) & husband Mario, Great-grandson Carter, Paige Franz (granddaughter) & husband Daniel, Andrea Fang (granddaughter)& husband Dennis, Catharine Hughes (daughter), Shannon James-Keeper (granddaughter) & husband Brandon, Vauna Armstrong (daughter) & husband Paul, Narine Armstrong (granddaughter), Doug Armstrong (grandson) & wife Rae Ann, greatgrandchildren Junia, Naomi, and Elijah, Jeff Armstrong (grandson) & wife Whitnee, grandchildren Dominic and baby Armstrong (due in November), Brad Armstrong (grandson) & wife Anya, great-granddaughter Evie, Catie Armstrong (granddaughter).

He was born in Saint James (near Rolla) in the Missouri Ozarks, on June 23, 1932. The first of seven brothers growing up in rural Missouri, they did not have a lot of money, so they worked hard and played creatively. Joe said he learned both endurance and some philosophy of life while chopping wood. He also said the farmers in the area would hire local kids to work the farms and the Hughes boys were sought after because, as they put it, “those boys knew how to work.”

Joe was always interested in science fiction and adventure stories and read everything he could get his hands on. This inspired a career in the sciences.

Joe met his wife, Narine, in the youth group at their church. Joe thought she was older than him because she was already out of college, so he hesitated to ask her out, but not for long. Their first date was on Valentine’s Day. They announced their engagement on Easter Sunday, and they were married on June 1, 1954, one day after Joe’s college graduation.

Joe’s first job after college was doing rocket research. He was literally a rocket scientist. He was then called up by the army to go to the Korean Conflict. Due to the army’s need for pilots, they put him in flight school. The war was winding down by the time Joe finished flight training, and this afforded him the opportunity to go back to college and get his Masters Degree in Nuclear Physics.

After active duty, Joe stayed in the Army Reserves as a pilot of planes and helicopters and took his kids flying with him whenever possible. Joe was a surfer, a scuba diver, a pilot, a skier, and a sailboat owner. He was truly in awe of the world that the Lord our God laid out before us and enjoyed it with as many family members and friends as possible.

Joe worked in the leading edge of aerospace technology. He helped develop helicopter, jet aircraft, missile, and space technologies. General Dynamics recruited him away from the Los Angeles aerospace company he worked for and brought the family to San Diego in 1972. Joe first stepped into undersea technology when he joined Hydro Products in 1975. Joe became president of the company and later was promoted to the parent company. He maintained an office in Southern California and Washington DC for many years. He developed contacts in the Pentagon and was always available to the military, especially to the Navy, when they needed advice regarding technological solutions for issues around the world.

Joe retired from the corporate world at the age of 55 as vice president of Honeywell Corporation and started a consulting company. He consulted with various industries but was always connected to companies working in underwater technologies. After many years of consulting, a professional association, The San Diego Maritime Alliance, gave Joe their first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award.

He worked his entire career at the leading edge of various technologies. He worked in everything from deep space to aerospace to the deep sea, but his passion was for his family and friends. Anyone who knew him has seen him pull out photos of him and Narine with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It would be difficult for anyone to be more proud of his family.

One of his greatest qualities was that he was a friend to everyone he encountered. He led an interesting life and he enjoyed telling people about his background. But he also enjoyed listening to people and what they were interested in. He led the Golden Fellowship and participated in the Men’s Group at Journey Community Church. He was a founding member of the Bistro Boys of La Mesa. He listened and he learned about his friends, and to Joe Hughes, everyone was a friend.

This man of humble beginnings led a truly remarkable life.

We will miss him greatly and are grieving but we know he would want us to celebrate his life rather than lamenting his passing. Let’s take joy in knowing he is getting those remaining physics questions answered by the creator of the universe, our Lord God.

We will Celebrate Joe’s Life on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 1:30 in the afternoon at Journey Community Church, 8363 Center Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Journey Community Church, Golden Fellowship at https://ppay.co/ZazLAB49kEw, or mail checks to the church at the address noted above, noting the donation is for the Joe Hughes fund, Golden Fellowship.

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Please submit memories and pictures to https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/11399073 .