It is now 4:15 am December 6, 2012. I am at my old table top computer by myself and I feel like I can now write, think and type on an "old timey" keyboard with a real mouse.
Roy was born in Frederick Oklahoma but my story will begin on June 4, 1974 in Oklahoma City when I went to work for the Oklahoma Department of Institutions and Rehabilitative Services (now OKDHS). Roy was a caseworker and I was a secretary. Yes a secretary with a bachelors in business. Caseworkers could not have their own scotch tape nor a stash of ink pens. Roy Hughes’ desk sat right across 6 ft to the left of my desk. His first words to me were "could I use your scotch tape"? No one will believe this but I knew at that moment Roy would become my husband and he did on May 3, 1975. His sweet voice and sense of security is what made me fall in love with him instantly. I can hardly remember a time when we were not together. We did everything together and yet we did lots individually as well.
We were married four years before we were blessed with our "miracle baby" Bryan Scott Hughes. We had been told there would be no babies for Roy and Linda. God has a way of proving doctors wrong everyday. But on the other hand one was not enough for us so we pursued adoption through the Colorado Christain Services and on July 15, 1988 our "chosen" child was born. These two were the absolute loves of our lives and Roy was such a proud Dad. From band, All State Band and the brass choir at OCU, T- Ball, baseball and baseball practice and all the trips and contests those included to becoming cheer dad and let me tell you practice and practice and practice and tons of competitions in both band, cheerleading and a multitude of other activities these two were in during their junior high and high school days were pretty much our life for years. I will lean on these two and the three of us will get through this knowing we have each other. Roy would probably tell you this was his favorite time of his life. He was a die-hard TITAN fan. Saturday night he watched as they won the gold state championship ball. That night my Roy was his happy old time self.
Oh and I forgot to tell you Roy had "second family kids" with two of my best friends, LeeAnn Cobb and Connie Bryant. Let me see if I can get their names right – Cale, Cole and Clay Bryant, Landon Cobb and now Lindsay Cobb Hix. Just kidding – I am their Mama too! Roy was Dad to many of their friends too. My heart aches for all of you who have lost this precious man’s presence as well! Oh and even before all these Brent and Alisha Blount. These two belonged to his best friends, Don and Bama Blount. Although they did not talk everyday in the last few years, Don and Roy were best friends who were always a phone call away from each other! Oh my word there is no where to stop! Roy had TONS of special friends which included his doctors, Dr. Paul Miller and Dr Rajaram or as Roy called him Dr. Hero and I’m sure hundreds of people in his life. When people met him they knew instantly he was just a great guy! There is no way I can list you all but you ALL know how much he loved you and I know you are sad as well as Bryan, Lacee and I.
Roy has many family members and friends who were waiting on him at the gates of heaven ~~ His mother and father, Lois and Arthur Hughes, sister Joyce Hulsey, nephew Michael Hulsey, mother and father-in-law, Chloe and Ace, brother in law Larry Jones, Grandparents and great Grandparents.
I am not going to list those still living who he will yearn to see again, which brings me to his faith in God. Roy was a man of God. He put on Christ in baptism in 1982. He is in HEAVEN now in the most beautiful well equipped, (and I’m sure much cleaner and tidier) shop. Roy and I talked lots about heaven and have much clearer pictures of it after Shawn Fowler’s series on the subject. You will hear a little of it if you are able to attend his memorial on Saturday. Upon his retirement, ultimately from Oklahoma Health Care Authority he began his full time job "working in his shop. Roy has a nack for repairing, making anything and just the most beautiful creations from wood. His partner, Danny would tell you he is meticulas, patient and just plain ole stubborn when it came to doing things right. He loved antiques and his favorite thing was repairing them to their original beauty. He didn’t tolerate much painting when it came to wood. Sometime, stop by the house and I will show you some of his handiwork. Oh but wait, lots of you have them in your homes and you know his work well. He loved every moment he did work for you.
I must write one more paragraph. The love of his life the last five years has been Ainslee Mae Hughes, our granddaughter! Roy watched her just this past Saturday ride her bicycle without training wheels. What a little doll. Ainslee was his girlfriend. Yep, Reda, I think she was number one. (private joke)
The word that comes to me as I write this and it is in every thing said in this piece is love. I will stop now but you must know the sadness in my heart to go the rest of my life without my true soulmate. I am most sad that I could not be with him when he left and touch his face and kiss his lips one more time and have him just "hold me" He will be waiting for me, of that I am sure. I will love him forever and ever.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 8, 2012 at the Del City Church of Christ. Interment will follow at Sunny Lane Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.eisenhourfuneral.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18