Mr. Roy D. Hughes, 89, of Early, Texas, passed away early Monday, September 26th, 2011, at Oak Ridge Manor, Brownwood, Texas. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Early First Baptist Church, with interment to follow at Eastlawn Cemetery.
Roy Dellwyn Hughes was born on August 16, 1922 in Ryan, Oklahoma to Richard and Curtis Hughes, the youngest of four children. He was raised in Byers, Texas, graduating from Byers High School. He attended Howard Payne University, where he met his future bride, Louise Skipper, but his studies were interrupted by The United States’ entry into World War II.
Enlisting into the Army, Roy served his country in the Pacific Theater as a member of the 158th Regimental Combat Team, also known as the “Bushmasters.” Renowned for their jungle warfare against Imperial Japanese soldiers in the Philippine Islands, General Douglas MacArthur called the Bushmasters “…the greatest combat team ever deployed for battle.” Roy fought in the Battle of Luzon in January 1945, earning the Bronze Star for “heroic or meritorious achievement or service”, as well as the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and Philippine Liberation ribbons, and 2 overseas bars. He also served as a lead scout of an elite Intelligence and Reconnaissance (I and R) platoon, whose job was to gather intelligence on Japanese movement within surrounding islands. Slated as part of Operation Downfall, the invasion of Imperial Japan, the Bushmasters were ordered to disable air warning stations ahead of the invasion fleet, an operation sure to suffer mass casualties. En route, the operation learned of Atomic bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which led to Japan’s surrender to the Allies. Roy then served in an occupation capacity in Yokohama and Okinawa before being honorably discharged.
Returning to Brownwood, Roy completed his degree at Howard Payne University, earning a degree in History. He taught and coached at Sidney, Texas before becoming the History teacher and coach at Brownwood’s Coggin Ward. Eventually earning his Master’s degree from Hardin Simmons University, Roy then moved to Early, where he would spend the rest of his career. Roy served as Elementary, Junior High, and High School Principals in the Early Independent School District, and eventually as Superintendent of Schools. He retired in 1978 after suffering a stroke, but continued to be active in the Early community and at his land in Salt Creek, where he had many dear friends and enjoyed raising cattle, bailing hay, hunting, fishing, and embracing the beauty of his beloved Rockin’ R Ranch. He traveled many summers to Colorado, where he would fly-fish as long as there was light enough to cast. Roy was a deacon at Early First Baptist Church, where he served faithfully for many, many years, and was also the last remaining Charter Member of the Early Lions Club. He married Louise Skipper on June 11, 1948, and they enjoyed a loving marriage for 63 years, raising three children in their beloved Early community.
To most people, Roy was better known simply as Mr. Hughes, a loving, caring man who dedicated his life to mentoring children. The number of lives he touched through his teaching, coaching, discipline and care can never be truly known, but his students through the years have always remembered him as an educator who had their best interests at heart through any situation. A born-again Christian, and gentleman, Roy never met a stranger, kept agreements by his word and a handshake, and was truly a hero of our “Greatest Generation.”
His family rejoices and finds peace in the assurance that Roy is with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Roy D. Hughes is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Louise Hughes, two daughters, Crystal Sutton and husband Jim of Abilene, Texas, and Brenda Howard and husband Kevin of Brownwood, a daughter-in-law Cathy Hughes of Pearland, Texas. Four grandchildren: Stephanie Hughes of Corpus Christi, Johnse Howard of College Station, Jase Sutton of Abilene, and Sarah Howard of Brownwood, a sister-in-law, Genia Hughes of Amarillo, and two nephews, Robert Hughes of Onalaska, and David Hughes of Crosby. Mr. Hughes was preceded in death by his sister Edna, brothers Lynn and Ray, and his son Dellwyn Hughes.
Donations may be made to the Roy Dellwyn Hughes Jr. Scholarship at Howard Payne University P.O. Box 2369 Brownwood, Texas 76804.
Friends are invited to sign the guestbook at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net. Heartland Funeral Home of Early is in charge of arrangements.
