Obituary for Gordon Hughes
Gordon Hughes
February 24, 1936- April 23, 2023
Gordon Lewis Hughes, 87, of Anderson, SC, went home to his Lord and Savior on April 23, 2023, surrounded by family.
Born on February 24, 1936, in Fireco, WV, Gordon spent his childhood in the hills of Appalachia before moving to Portsmouth, VA. He graduated from Cradock High School then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Airman 1st Class. It was in the service that he took an interest in air traffic control, which paved the way for his subsequent career with the Federal Aviation Administration. Gordon spent 28 years with the FAA, serving as an Air Traffic Controller and making memories that would turn into stories often told to his children and grandchildren.
The FAA took Gordon to Leesburg, VA. There he met and married the love of his life, Barbara Jane Whitten. He and Barbara settled in Round Hill, VA, where they raised two sons and became active members of the community. Gordon served in the Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department, volunteered countless hours for the Loudoun Valley High School booster clubs, and coached numerous Little League, football, and even soccer teams. He was also a long-time attendee of Round Hill Baptist Church.
After retiring, Gordon and Barbara moved to Anderson, SC. More free time meant more guitar playing and Gordon went on to be a member of several local bands, most recently a group fondly called “The Grumpies”. He worked part-time for Anderson Armored Car and the Carolina Auto Auction and was a member of Calvary Baptist Temple. His greatest joy of retirement, though, was spending time with his children, grandchildren, “great grands,” nieces, and nephews, whom he loved so much.
He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Barbara Hughes; sisters Alice Burnette and Peggy Gillenwater; brother-in-law Bobby (Nancy) Whitten; sons Patrick (Karen) of Williamson, GA, and Michael (Beth) of Purcellville, VA; grandchildren Lauren (Justin) Farmer, Ashley (Garrett) Bauman, Joshua (Emily) Hughes, Charlotte (Bryce) Lanktree, and Caleb, Abigail, and Rachel Hughes; four great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews he loved as his own.
Gordon was predeceased by his parents, Edward L and Emma L. (Yancey) Hughes; his sister, Bernice Edwards; and his brother, James Hughes.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 8, 2023, at Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery 140 Inway Dr., Anderson, SC 29621.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gordon’s memory may be made to the Calvary Baptist Temple Missions Fund, 913 Parker Bowie Rd., Iva, SC 29655.
THE STANDARD CREMATION & FUNERAL CENTER, ANDERSON, SC.
February 24, 1936- April 23, 2023
Gordon Lewis Hughes, 87, of Anderson, SC, went home to his Lord and Savior on April 23, 2023, surrounded by family.
Born on February 24, 1936, in Fireco, WV, Gordon spent his childhood in the hills of Appalachia before moving to Portsmouth, VA. He graduated from Cradock High School then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Airman 1st Class. It was in the service that he took an interest in air traffic control, which paved the way for his subsequent career with the Federal Aviation Administration. Gordon spent 28 years with the FAA, serving as an Air Traffic Controller and making memories that would turn into stories often told to his children and grandchildren.
The FAA took Gordon to Leesburg, VA. There he met and married the love of his life, Barbara Jane Whitten. He and Barbara settled in Round Hill, VA, where they raised two sons and became active members of the community. Gordon served in the Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department, volunteered countless hours for the Loudoun Valley High School booster clubs, and coached numerous Little League, football, and even soccer teams. He was also a long-time attendee of Round Hill Baptist Church.
After retiring, Gordon and Barbara moved to Anderson, SC. More free time meant more guitar playing and Gordon went on to be a member of several local bands, most recently a group fondly called “The Grumpies”. He worked part-time for Anderson Armored Car and the Carolina Auto Auction and was a member of Calvary Baptist Temple. His greatest joy of retirement, though, was spending time with his children, grandchildren, “great grands,” nieces, and nephews, whom he loved so much.
He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Barbara Hughes; sisters Alice Burnette and Peggy Gillenwater; brother-in-law Bobby (Nancy) Whitten; sons Patrick (Karen) of Williamson, GA, and Michael (Beth) of Purcellville, VA; grandchildren Lauren (Justin) Farmer, Ashley (Garrett) Bauman, Joshua (Emily) Hughes, Charlotte (Bryce) Lanktree, and Caleb, Abigail, and Rachel Hughes; four great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews he loved as his own.
Gordon was predeceased by his parents, Edward L and Emma L. (Yancey) Hughes; his sister, Bernice Edwards; and his brother, James Hughes.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 8, 2023, at Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery 140 Inway Dr., Anderson, SC 29621.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gordon’s memory may be made to the Calvary Baptist Temple Missions Fund, 913 Parker Bowie Rd., Iva, SC 29655.
THE STANDARD CREMATION & FUNERAL CENTER, ANDERSON, SC.