Raymond W. Hughes

Raymond W. Hughes May 28 1926 - June 19, 2011. Long time resident of East Contra Costa County (Antioch, Pittsburg, Brentwood and Knightsen). Raymond passed away at age 85 at his home in Knightsen CA his family with him. He left behind wife of 19 years Amy, 5 daughters, 4 step-children, brother Frank (Denise)of Nebraska, many nieces and nephews and blended families of 22 grandchildren 13 great grandchildren

He was born on May 28, 1926 in Shamrock, Oklahoma to James and Icie Hughes. Ray was one of 7 children. Predeceased by Geneva Foust, Wanema Striplin, Nora Dixon, Corinne Patania, Bill and surviving brother Frank (wife Denise) of Nebraska.

Ray’s recollection of life in Oklahoma in the 30’s during the Depression days were of being very poor and very hungry. As a young person Ray helped his Dad with various manual labor odd jobs to feed their family. He was able to save up $2.00 to buy a used bike which he rode 55 miles from Beggs to Shamrock, Oklahoma to stay summers with his grandmother who taught him to read and write. Ray completed the 8th grade.

His Dad had gone to California to work in the Kaiser shipyards and sent Ray a bus ticket at age 17 to go there where he also worked earning $35/wk. He saved up $200 to buy a 1931 model A Ford.

At age 18 he was drafted to the army. He spent 30wks training, which was double the time, due to a minor physical ailment that was corrected during training forcing him to have to repeat training. It kept him out of the Battle of the Bulge and basically the land invasion of Japan. He served time in the Philippines ranking Sergeant and was honorably discharged after the war.

He returned and settled in the Brentwood area with his family and eventually married Bernice also from Oklahoma who was living in Byron. They had 3 children Sherry (John Rodgers), Charles, predeceased(widow Jeanette) and Phyllis (Waugh) and lived in Antioch. He retired from US Steel in Pittsburg after 35 years having worked as a Supervisor in management. Divorced in 1959 he and the kids moved to Pittsburg.

In the late 60's he married Carol Heidorn Reuland and adopted her 3 children; Lauri (Russo),Lisa(Wade)and Lesli(Reano)and lived in Antioch. Carol passed away in 1986. In 1992 he married Amy Somerhalder Simmons of Knightsen and gained 5 adult step-children; Vicky(Puccinelli), Ricky, Jerry (deceased),John (Yvonne), and Diane Shepperd (Glen).

During his lifetime he enjoyed wood working, upholstering, his personal pets and the last several years feeding the wild cats in the neighborhood. Each year he planted a vegetable garden which brought him joy while watching and feeding the birds too. He loved to gamble from Reno slots, football pools and lottery scratchers. In fact, he won the Big Spin twice going on the TV show but never winning the "million". He loved playing golf regularly having made “3 holes-in-one” and traveled to Mexico and Maui to play although he had a fear of flying. He also enjoyed ping pong and shuffleboard. He loved watching TV sports of golf, football and bowling.

He was known for being very organized and his humor, sometimes funny, other times, dry and sarcastic but very witty. He had a knack for writing but never truly followed it.

The most recent example of his humor was on Sunday, Father's Day, his last day of life. At home during his home care he was demanding to go outside one way or another so on that morning he was helped to get into the wheelchair out to the porch for fresh air and he said to his girls….”you girls are playing volleyball with an old man’s body” as he enjoyed the cool breeze on his face with his eyes closed probably dreaming of that next hole-in-one he was planning to do after he passed later that afternoon.

Raymond W. Hughes May 28, 1926 - June 19, 2011 Resident of Knightsen, Ca. Survived by wife Amy, brother Frank, daughters Shery Rodgers, Phyllis Waugh, Laurie Russo, Lisa Wade, Lesli Reano, four step-children, 22 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. Worked 35yrs for U.S. Steel. As for his wishes no services. Arrangements www.Brentwoodfuneral.com

Arrangements under the direction of Brentwood Funeral Home, Brentwood, CA.