Douglas James Hughes

KNOXVILLE - Douglas James Hughes, (79) of Knoxville, Tennessee; beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; graduated to glory in God's kingdom on (March 23, 2021) due to complications of bladder cancer. Doug was born May 19, 1941 in Dixon, MO to Bertha Ellen (Dickens) and Benny Byron Hughes, deceased. Doug is survived by his beloved Christian wife Sandra Kay Nettles Hughes, sisters Glennis Parker and Alice Lucas, brother-in-law Dr. George Parker, children Laura Lynn and Gary Grace and Darren Scott and Joanna Hughes, five grandchildren: Benjamin Grace, Cole Grace, Wyatt and Emmaline Grace, Rory Hughes, and Clara Wren Hughes, and great-grandson Warren Grace. Doug accepted God's Grace of salvation at a young age and served the Lord as a Bible study leader, Sunday School teacher, short-term missionary to Romania and Peru, choir member, orchestra/brass musician, and ordained deacon in the Southern Baptist and Presbyterian Churches of America. He was a member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in West Knoxville where he participated in the prayer and orchestra ministries. Doug and Sandy met, and were married September 10, 1967, at Hanley Road Baptist in Clayton, MO. Doug always claimed to have married up. Doug was trained as an Electronics Engineer and specialized in electromagnetic environmental effects his entire career. He first learned of the field by obtaining an amateur radio license in April 1957. He held call signs: K0LGZ, W0JBK, W3EWP, and W3HO and was active in the college club W0EEE in Rolla, MO. Doug studied at the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (1963) and The George Washington University (1971). His career resulted in many life-saving/prolonging efforts that were documented at: http://www.emcs.org/acstrial/newsletters/fall04/personality.html. Doug supplied his engineering expertise to 32 air safety/accident investigations. His post college employment was at McDonnell-Douglas in St. Louis and IITRI/Alion at the DoD ECAC/Joint Spectrum Center in Annapolis, MD. He presented technical papers both nationally and internationally. He also assisted in development of a patented method for colocation of communications-electronics equipment without causing nor receiving electromagnetic interference. The US Government released the patent rights to the public. Every cellular communications relay tower installation benefitted. Doug's interests included travels with his wife and others, service to his Lord and Savior, interacting with family and enjoying their activities, ham radio, tennis, model railroading, playing brass wind instruments (trumpet, cornet, horn, mellophone, and mellophonium), Bugles Across America grave-side missions, Su-Do-Ku puzzles, keeping in touch with many friends and colleagues via social media, and reading novels and military/intelligence history. A model railroad group specializing in the St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco) railway was formed by Doug in July 1976 with 12 members. It now has over 3,200 members and a dedicated web site (frisco.org). The family wishes to thank all who prayed for Doug during his battle. They helped. Services will be held on Saturday, March 27, at the Cedar Springs Presbyterial Church chapel with grave-side services in Carlyle, IL at a later date. Due to Covid restrictions, the memorial service will be a small gathering of family and friends. If you wish to attend, please contact the church. Donations in lieu of flowers may be given to Cancer Support Community of East Tennessee (2230 Sutherland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37919-2350) or to Gideons International.