As a veteran of the Korean War serving in the United States Air Force, he was a Navigator, and loved studying the stars and constellations. During that time, he also met and married his wife, Joyace Barker Hughes. They began raising a family and moved to Victoria, where he cultivated a successful State Farm Insurance agency.
Joe was very personable and knew everyone in the grocery store and everywhere he went, or so it seemed. He was an avid golfer and even when he could no longer swing a club to his satisfaction, he spent many afternoons playing a friendly game of cards at the clubhouse with his golf buddies.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George Hughes, and Marian Elias Hughes; and ten sisters and brothers, George “Lad” Hughes, Jr., Robert “Bob” Hughes, Marian “Nita” Haertel, Thomas “Tom” Hughes, Richard Hughes, Elizabeth “Betty” Baker, Jean Sutliff, Paula Miller, William “Bill” Hughes, and Monica “Pinky” Inman.
Joe is survived by his wife, Joyace; children, Liz (Joel) Johnson, Joe Hughes, Jr., Kathy (Bob) Busker and Lynne (Donnie) Mattix; sister, Patricia Munger; grandchildren, Katie (Steven) Gray, Erin Salles, Tyler (Taylor) Johnson, Kendall (Michelle) Johnson and Holly (Joe) Marin; great grandchildren, Jenny Gray, Lily Gray, Tripp Salles, Preston Salles and Royce Marin; and a multitude of cherished nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, August 26 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., followed by a rosary at Rosewood Funeral Chapel, 3304 Mockingbird Ln, Victoria. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Victory on Saturday, August 27 at 1 p.m. with Father Dalton officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens with military honors under the auspices of the Victoria Veterans Council.
Pallbearers will be Tyler Johnson, Kendall Johnson, and Steven Gray.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Veterans Council, P.O. Box 7382, Victoria, TX 77903; or Veterans of Foreign Wars, 2001 Lova Dr, Victoria, TX 77901; or a charity of your choice.
Words of comfort and special memories may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
