Birth Date: 12/26/1940
Deceased Date: 07/21/2021
Middlesex – Staff Sgt. Donald Lee Hughes, age 80, a proud retired veteran of the United States Army, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at the Durham Veterans Hospital surrounded by loved ones.
Donald dutifully served in the U.S. Army for twenty years and three months. He fought in the Vietnam War, where he served two tours. Don was stationed throughout the United States, Germany, and Korea before retiring honorably with a rank of E7. He grew up in Martin’s Ferry, OH. He retired at Ft. Dix, NJ and then moved to Middlesex, NC where he lived the remainder of his life.
Don loved the Lord, his family and friends and was proud to serve others. After his retirement from the military, he enjoyed restoring his El Camino, fishing, tinkering in the garage and collecting lawn mowers. He spent most of his time in his woodshed designing and building bird houses, cardinals, flags and whirley gigs. He loved telling stories and he was great at telling jokes.
Mr. Hughes is survived by his children; Theresa, Denise, Lori, Samantha, Katharine and Howard. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, Brianna, Jacob, Matthew, Travis, Jordan, Tommy, Rebecca, Chloe, Lauren and Cole; two great-granddaughters, Lilly-Ann, Sophia Rose; and all his nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home in Selma. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Selma Memorial Gardens. Family and friends may pay respects on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Carolina Sheriff’s Association, Johnston County, at Post Office Box 20049 Raleigh, North Carolina 27619-0049. (919) 743-7433.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at Parrishfh.com
