Roy Hughes

1923 - 2018

Roy Ellis Hughes
1923-2018
Hughes, Roy E., Jr., 1923-2018, of The Woodlands, Texas, a member of the Greatest Generation that we owe a debt of gratitude still today, passed away just shy of his next birthday. He was born and raised in Washington, D.C., to Col. Roy E. and Rose (McDonald) Hughes. He was truly exemplary of those described in the "Boys in the Boat", and served his family and country throughout his life with humor, humility, compassion, hard work, and a healthy disdain for bullies. After high school, he headed to Idaho to live and work with the Nez Perce on a Fire Team in Idaho. He next attended Cornell University, graduating early with an engineering degree in 1944, where he crewed on Cornell's renowned varsity rowing team for three years. In summers, he trained with the artillery, but received an officer's appointment to the United States Navy on graduation. He served as Battalion Commander-Midshipmen School before heading to the Pacific as Fighter Director on the carrier U.S.S. Kasaan Bay, in combat operations from Guam to Okinawa. After discharge from the Navy and two years of work in the aeronautics industry, he obtained his MBA from Harvard University. Seeking a sense of adventure, he headed to Texas, serving as an executive with Lone Star Boat Company in Dallas. By chance encounter he met and later married the love of his life, a young reporter from Winnipeg who was covering President Eisenhower's inauguration. After a period of travel and fun they raised four boys in Dallas, each of whom is grateful and thankful for having such fine parents bring them through life. Roy was recently predeceased by son Sanford, whom he cared for throughout, and his beloved siblings, Charlie and Helen, with who he spoke often. Roy is survived by his wife Joyce, and sons Patrick (Cynthia), Alex (Cathy) and Evan (Tamsen), as well as grandsons and great grandchildren, who loved his presence and kind heart. He (and Sanford) will be missed at the weekly family dinners, where so often Cynthia made something special just for them and where games and fellowship often brought laughter to all. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a future date and time. The family gives thanks to The Woodlands Healthcare Center for giving him comfort and care. If inclined, donations to Montgomery County Meals on Wheels, or to the Admiral Nimitz War in the Pacific Museum, or any service organization that gives care to the aged and infirm, are causes that he enjoyed, related to, and benefitted from. Thanks Dad, we miss you and will see you again.