Francis Donald Hughes, 92, of Denver, Missouri, died July 10, 2016 at
his home.
Donald was born November 15, 1923 on the family farm near the New Hope
Church, Denver, Missouri.
He was the son of Francis Walter and Olive Jane (Miller) Hughes. He attended rural school near his home then
began the several mile walk to school in Denver in later elementary. He graduated from the Grant City School District.
Donald completed post graduate training in Chicago, Illinois learning
to assemble aircraft. He then moved to Kansas City to work for Northrup Grumund
assembling B-25’s for the war. He lived
in a boarding house with other young men involved in the war effort. He joined the United States Navy in March of
1944 and became a diesel engineer on the Navy Destroyer USS Engstrom. Donald was honorably discharged from naval
service on April 27, 1946.
Following his discharge he returned to the family farm and married
Loreen Helen Jay on December 21, 1946.
Donald began a diverse farming operation of his own raising cattle until
he was 90 years old. He began a custom
harvest operation following the wheat harvest each summer for 14 years.
In 1991, Donald married Charmayne with whom he enjoyed owning and
operating the Bar X Restaurant in Denver, Missouri. Donald and Charmayne enjoyed extensive travel
including his favorite trips to the Lake of the Ozarks, 26 consecutive trips to
Sturgis as a Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast, the National Finals Rodeo
in Las Vegas for over 30 years, and various trips to watch car racing across
the country.
Donald was especially proud of his naval service, contract work for the
government building over 70 watershed projects, his service on various local
boards, including the Rural Water Board, where he served as President for over
50 years. He held a patent for one of
the first large hay bale stabbers for farm pickups. Donald held a pilot’s license and enjoyed
racing cars.
Others preceding him in death were his parents, Francis and Olive, his
wife Loreen Helen Hughes, brothers Glenn and William Hughes.
His survivors include: his wife Charmayne of the home, Denver; daughter
Donna (Jeff) Pile, Albany, Missouri; granddaughter Whitney (John) Cooney and
great grandson John Donald “Jack” Cooney, St. Louis, Missouri; stepson Sterling
Kidd, 2 step grandsons, Kalen and Sage, all of Wichita, Kansas; and many nieces
and nephews all of whom held a special place in his heart.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:30 PM, Thursday, July 14, 2016,
the Missouri National Guard Armory in Albany, Missouri. Family and friends are encouraged to stay for
dinner following the service.
Private family burial will be held in the Miller Cemetery, Denver,
Missouri.
Memorial: The Denver School
Belfry Reconstruction project.
Online condolences maybe left at andrewshannfuneralhome.com
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