Richard Dale Hughes' Obituary
Richard Dale Hughes, (R.D.), age 87 born 09/07/1936 passed away peacefully, Saturday 06/22/2024 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Born in Decatur, Illinois, R.D. was the eldest of five children born to Everett Earl Hughes and Carrie Elizabeth (Betty) Vaughan.
Shortly after returning from service in WWII, his father moved the family to Beaver Oklahoma where he worked as a Hand on a family ranch. In many ways, R.D.’s childhood was one of envy, growing up with his Brother Don and Sister Susan far from the city riding horses, hunting, fishing and having thousands of acres of ranch land to grow up and get in trouble on. Life in 1940’s & 1950’s Oklahoma wasn’t always easy, and it was during this time he also learned the meaning and value of hard work, honing his work ethic as he grew. His education began in a K-8 one room schoolhouse that required a daily horse ride and fording of the Beaver River. These were also the Dustbowl Years and R.D., who’d suffered horribly from childhood asthma, was forced to endure some of the harshest dust storms in history firsthand. Upon graduation from Beaver High school in 1954, R.D. studied Business Administration at Oklahoma University for two years before entering into military service in the U.S. Army. As a Cold War Soldier, R.D. held a secretive and sensitive position as a Cryptographer in Germany as member of the 11th Airborne. In 1958 R.D. deployed with the 11th to Lebanon as a Peace Keeper in Operation Bluebat. While the information has long been obsolete, due to his oath of secrecy he rarely spoke of it. However, he was proud of his service and remained a staunch patriot.
After leaving the U.S. Army, R.D. entered into the Insurance Industry as an Underwriter with Federal Kemper Insurance. Later, he was recruited by J.L. Hubbard Insurance in Decatur Illinois where he rose to the position of President. It was during this time that he met and married Rita Ann Braddy and the two welcomed two sons, Richard Barton and Matthew Alan, (aka Bart & Matt).
R.D. did not know how to not work and was rarely idle. With past times such as organic gardening, raising horses, a few steers, some sheep, a couple of pigs, and teaching his two sons how to respect and shoot any gun safely and proficiently, he kept himself busy in his younger years. Of course, in his later years mowing the lawn was his favorite.
In 1981 R.D. left J.L. Hubbard to open and operate his own agency, R.D. Hughes and Associates. Not being one to shirk duty, R.D. never retired and worked daily until a few short weeks before his death at the age of 87. He was well known and highly respected within the industry and had earned numerous awards for his service. The Hughes family would like to give special thanks to his most loyal associate, Mrs. Staci Dick. Staci worked with R.D. for over 33 years, and he considered her more than family. Without her loyalty and the occasional kick in his pants R.D. Hughes and Associates wouldn’t have lasted. While there were many other associates over the years whose contributions all mattered, it was Staci who stuck with him through thick and thin.
After divorcing in 1987, he soon met his life partner in crime, loving companion and caretaker, Molly Smalley. While the two never married, for 37 years they remained happily together until his death.
When not working, R.D. preferred a peaceful life and could be found spending time with Molly, tending to his tomato plants, mowing his lawn or relaxing on the back porch with a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon.
R.D. was preceded in death by his Mother Betty, Father Earl and Brothers Don and Gene.
He is survived by his sons Bart and Matt Hughes, Brother James (Dena) in Nevada and Sister Susan Lichtenberger in California, his grandchildren Autumn Hughes; Sophia, Jordan and Alyssa Ware as well as nieces, nephews and numerous friends and clients.
Visitation will be held at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home July 12 from 4-6pm with a ceremony following at his home for all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Wounded Warriors, The VFW, or The American Legion in his name.
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