James W. Hughes

James W. Hughes, age 69, resident of Valley, Alabama, died on August 1, 2014 at Columbus Hospice House. Funeral services are scheduled at Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby, Columbus on Monday August 4, 2014, 11:00am, with Reverend Gene Forehand and Reverend Tommy Fountain Jr. officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. Pallbearers will include; Sammy Weed, Donald Hughes, Roy Roughton, Austin Phillips, Ryan Hughes, Tyler Burns, Charles Smith, and Noah Phillips; Honorary Pallbearers; Telephone Pioneers of America and members and staff of Red Oak Golf Course. The family will receive friends Sunday, August 3, 2014 from 4:00-6:00pm.

Mr. Hughes, son of the late Earl Hughes and Nettie Morgan Hughes, was born May 26, 1945 in Columbus, Georgia. He attended and graduated from Baker High School in 1963 and continued on to Clayton State University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served honorably during Vietnam as a SeaBee for the Navy’s Construction Battalion. After serving his country, Mr. Hughes worked in the Telecommunication field to include employment with Bell South, AT&T, Lucent, and Avaya at which point he retired. He was president of C.W.A. (Communication Workers of America) Retirees. Mr. Hughes was an avid golfer, coached and played softball, enjoyed traveling and lived out on the water.

Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Teresa Hughes. Mr. Hughes is survived by wife, Cathy Hughes; children, Jamie Hughes (Michele), Lori Phillips (Chad), Eric McKelvey (Ellen), Mallory Fountain (Tommy), Jonathan McKelvey (Kelsey); 10 grandchildren; numerous cousins and other relatives.

“He Knew It All”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Columbus Hospice at www.columbushospice.com. Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com