Joseph Hughes

Joseph B. Hughes died peacefully at the Oaks of Clearwater on January 31st, 2015, having been in declining health since March 2014. He was 90 years old. Joe was the product of the challenging years of the Great Depression and World War II. He was an intelligent man with an unassuming, easy-going, if somewhat introverted personality. Having lived through hard times, he was not one to complain, make demands, or display any arrogance. He was also thrifty and taught his children the value of hard work and a good education, which he provided for each one of them. An engineer by training, he loved to collect and tinker with electronic gadgets of all types. Few octogenarians take up computers as a new hobby, but Joe did so with enthusiasm. He "burned" CDs of his favorite 1940s Big Band music and gave copies to his daughter Susan. He also "skyped" with his son Paul and daughter-in-law Susie. Joe had many interests including reading, listening to music, and sight-seeing. He liked nothing better than to go out and visit the library, flea markets, art museums, and restaurants. He had many years where he was very active, and only at the end did circumstances prevent him from doing what he wanted.

Joe spent much of his adult life raising his family in Clearwater, Florida while pursuing a career in the aerospace industry. He worked for companies such as Honeywell. He moved his young family from California to Florida in 1965 after finishing a position at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Joe was admired by everyone who knew him whether as friend or family relation.

He was born August 6th,1924 in Marianna, Arkansas to James P. Hughes and Urfa B. Hughes. After their premature deaths, Joe and his older brother, Robert, were raised by their grandmother. When the boys reached adulthood, they inherited their late father's farm near Marianna which remains in the family today. From 1943 to 1946, Joe served honorably in the Navy on the USS Cabot Aircraft Carrier. After completing his patriotic duty, he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and earned a degree in engineering by 1949. At this point in his life, he travelled extensively and held positions in fields as diverse as broadcast television and the aerospace industry. He eventually settled in California where he met Ruth Wimer. The attractive brunette with the sensitive demeanor agreed to become his wife, and the two were married in 1959. She would be his wife for the next 44 years until her death in 2003. Joe is survived by his three children, Jim, Susan and Paul, and two daughters-in-law, Penny Duerksen-Hughes and Susie Furman. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Joe, Lorelei, Walker, and Carson Hughes. He is survived by a nephew Max Hughes, niece-in-law, Sue Hughes, grandnephew Robert Jr. Hughes, grandniece Wesley Hughes, and many other friends and relatives. He will be missed by all.