Wayne Hughes

Wayne Hughes went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. He passed away at Baylor Scott & White Baptist Medical Center, in Waco, Texas, at the age of 93 years, seven months and 26 days. He was born March 8, 1921, in Elbert, Texas, to Rev. Alter Eli and Dora (Johnson) Hughes. He grew up in Throckmorton, Texas, and at the age of 9, accepted Jesus as his Savior. At the age of 12, he moved with his family to Decatur, TX, when his father accepted the call to the ministry and began attending Decatur Baptist College. Wayne graduated high school in 1939 at Decatur, and was the punter and quarterback of his high school football team. He attended Hardin College in Wichita Falls, Texas, (now Midwestern State University), and obtained his degree in gemology. He served honorably during WW II in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was united in marriage to Dorthy Faye Tarver on June 28, 1946, in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1952, they became the proud owner/operators of Hughes Jewelry of Frederick, which they purchased from the Clyde Irwin family. Their business was a staple in the community for 55 years where literally hundreds of newlyweds selected their rings, china, silver, and crystal to begin their new life together, including Wayne's own children and grandchildren. The store was a fond place of memories for so many in and around Tillman County and beyond. Wayne loved to fly and his accomplishments were numerous. He was a licensed and certified instrument pilot as well as a pilot instructor. He was a charter member of the Tillco Flying Club in the1950's and '60's. Wayne and his wife Dorthy loved to fly their Cessna with numerous people, including Ray and Peggy Fryer. They also started Golden Wings Flying Service, a ministry which brought people, who had died at a distant location, home on their final flight to Frederick. He and Dorthy were proud, long time members of the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, where Wayne served as past president. He was also a long time member of the Frederick Lions Club and past president and board member. He was an active and faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Frederick for many years, where he taught the high school boys Sunday School for years, where he made monumental impacts on the lives of innumerable young men. Mayor Eddie Whitworth signed a proclamation in 2011, on Wayne's 90th birthday, to commemorate "Wayne Hughes Day" in Frederick. Mr. Hughes had a well-known sense of humor, as everyone who knew him, especially his "coffee buddies" knew all too well. He loved to laugh. He was preceded in death by his parents: Rev. A.E. and Dora Hughes; a sister: Alta Faye Hughes Van Sickle; and a stillborn infant brother: John Loal Hughes; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Survivors include his wife: Dorthy Hughes; two daughters: Elaine Kennedy and husband Richard, of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, and Paula Carpenter and husband Paul, of Frederick, Oklahoma; a son: Randy Hughes and wife Margaret, of Noble, Oklahoma; Elaine and Richard's children: Angela Palmer (Stephen), of Bethany, OK, and their children: Katy, Carson, Caleb, Kennedy; Brad Kennedy (Marlene), of Dallas, TX, and their children: Taylor & Grayson; David Kennedy (Shaunna), of Celina, TX, and their children: Parker & Cooper; Paula and Paul's children: Tiffany Schwedland (Haydn), of Austin, TX, their children: Kai & Jet; Tracy Wade (Conner), of Dallas, TX, and their children: Lincoln & Havily; Randy and Margaret's children: Ariel Keith (Jonah) of New York, and their children: Timothy, Titus, Hiram, Ezra, Esther; Uriah Hughes (Ashley) of Norman, OK, and their children: Jonathan & Jessica; Caleb (Erin) of Maine, and their children: Ethan, Liam, Clara; Brianna Roswurm (Seth); and Zachariah and Abigail of Randy's home.