Heber Jennings Hughes Jr.

Heber Jennings (Herb) Hughes Jr., 84, of Roanoke, Va., and formerly of Clifton Forge and Buena Vista, Va., died Sunday, July 12, 2009, at Friendship Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Roanoke. Born September 27, 1924, in Beach Glen, W.Va., Herb was a son of the late Heber Jennings Hughes Sr. and Pearl Pierson Hughes. He served in the United States Army in the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II in the European Theatre, participating in the D-Day invasion. He was a salesman for various businesses throughout his life and was most recently employed by Sam's Club. He was a former member of the Clifton Forge Jaycees, where he was 1957 Man of the Year; was a former member and captain of the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad; was a founding member and former captain of the Buena Vista Rescue Squad; was a former historian for the State of Virginia Rescue Squad; and was a member of the American Legion in Buena Vista. He loved the Atlanta Braves and the West Virginia Mountaineers. He attended Wildhurst Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Hughes and Bob Hughes; and two sisters, Edyth Gray and Willie Nutter. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mabel Catherine Gray Hughes, of Roanoke; two daughters, Judy Underwood and husband, Ronnie, of Clifton Forge, and Jan Cash, of Roanoke, and husband, Harry, of Hampton; three sisters, Dixie Johnson and Annabelle Kizer, both of West Virginia, and Theora Strohacker of South Carolina; three grandchildren, "Binky" and wife, Jeanine Underwood, of Keezletown, Rob (Tad) and wife, Keri Weikel, of Montvale, and R.W. Underwood and wife, Stacy, of Cary, N.C.; four greatgrandchildren, and a number of nephews and nieces, greatnephews and great-nieces, including special great-niece, Toni Stinnett, of Roanoke. A memorial service will be held 6 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2009, in Wildhurst Presbyterian Church, Roanoke with the Reverend William Harris officiating. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to your charity or organization of choice in Herb's name. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.