John Thomas Hughes Jr

John T. Hughes Jr., age 74, passed away at his home in Russell, Kentucky on October 13, 2021. John was born on March 11, 1947, to John T. Hughes and Hugolene Hughes, both of whom predeceased him. He graduated from Russell High School in 1965 and began working for CSX. He attended college first at Eastern Kentucky University and later earned his B.A. degree from the University of Kentucky. He served in the U.S. Army from January 1968 to July, 1969, first in Vietnam, 11th Brigade, 23rd Infantry Americal Division. He earned a National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Rifle Badge and two Purple Hearts. After being wounded, he finished his tour at Command Headquarters in Fort Knox.
He was employed by CSX until he retired and also obtained a real estate broker's license, associating with P.G. Robinson Realty and later with CC Realty as principal broker. During the 1980s, John and several friends, formed the National Powerboat Association and managed boat races at several locations in the U.S. and in the Bahamas. He was a charter member of the Corvette Owners Association of America. He loved car racing, and obtained his race license from Skip Barber Racing at Road Atlanta. He was a member of the SCCA, River Cities Region and was part owner in a Honda race car and competed in several regional racing events. He attended David Pearson's Performance Racing School at Martinsville Speedway and drove a circle track car for Tim and Linda Jenkins of Milton, West Virginia. John was mechanically skillful from an early age, taking apart and fixing go carts, motorcycles, cars and guns. He repaired and rebuilt household items, often making his own tools for the job. He enjoyed riding motorcycles with his wife and friends. He loved listening to jazz and classic rock music.
John became a Christian at a young age, and attended Methodist and Presbyterian churches in Raceland, Kentucky. He was a member of the Ashland Elks Lodge #350 B.P.O.E. and a 3rd Degree Mason with Fred M. Gross Lodge #953. He is survived by his wife and soul mate of 19 years, Catherine (Creech) Hughes, a sister, Carolyn (Rick) Hankins, of Tampa, Florida, son Jeremy Mills, of Catlettsburg, Kentucky, and stepdaughter Julie Green (Mark) Pettey, and their two sons, Hunter and Harrison, of Mobile, Alabama. He is also survived by two special aunts, Ruth Clephane and Judy Tackett, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. His smile, his intellect, generosity and kind soul will be missed forever.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 12:00 Noon at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery, NE and will be officiated by Reverend Mackey Gaskin. Military rites will be provided by Kenova American Legion Post #93. The procession to the Veterans Cemetery will leave our 13th Street Chapel at 11:30 AM. Visitation will be at STEEN FUNERAL HOME-13TH STREET CHAPEL on Sunday, October 17, 2021 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
Friends may make contributions in John’s memory to Aspire Conservatory of Fine and Performing Arts, 1701 Winchester Avenue, Ashland, KY 41101 or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made to www.steenfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.