Rick Lee Hughes

Rick Lee Hughes, age 78, passed into the presence of the Lord on November 27, 2025, while attended by his beloved wife Susan, and his children Chad Hughes and Amber Mauser.

He was born of Charles and Betty Hughes in North Jackson and lived most of his life in the Youngstown, Ohio area, and retired to Ormond Beach, Florida.

In his professional life, Rick was known as a diligent and hard worker who demanded excellence of himself. This was a trait he modelled for his children and grandchildren. He was a retired real estate agent and professional driver. Although he drove many times at Daytona Motor Speedway and never won a race, he enjoyed the people he got to befriend.

Rick was a man of many talents. He built a house from the ground up where he learned carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. While adept at each of these trades, he really enjoyed playing golf. He found that golf allowed him to spend time with family and friends, get out into nature to enjoy the peaceful views, while delighting in keeping the ball in the fairway and sinking long putts.

As a young man during the Vietnam War, Rick joined the Navy. Serving in the armed forces took him around the world on many adventures. The skills and experiences he acquired during his time abroad shaped him to be a well-rounded person that helped him see beyond any local prejudices that those who never travel may have. As a man of culinary culture, Rick had an exquisite taste that many waitresses may have found difficult. He knew not only what he liked, but just how he liked it.

The most important thing to Rick was family. As many men do, he loved his family deeply and valued spending quality time with them whenever he got the chance. Between pick-up games, family vacations, and weekly cook-outs, dad provided many opportunities to keep the family bonding through great experiences together.

While living in Youngtown, Rick was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church. After moving to Florida, he faithfully attended Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church. In discussions with him, Rick's love for Jesus Christ and the hope that we have was fully evident. Joining with Christians throughout time, he believed Jesus's words, "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." Even though his car radio was fixed to the Christian music channel, his favorite Christian songs were the Scriptures his daughter Amber would sing at church. The last song he discussed with us expressed the truths, "To live is Christ, to die is gain. And though we grieve for those we love who fall asleep in Christ we know they'll see the Savior's face and gaze into his eyes. So now we grieve, yet we don't grieve as those who have no hope. For just as Jesus rose again, He'll raise his own." (Phil. 1:21;1 Thess. 4:13-18)

Rick leaves behind his wife Susan (Heineman), son Chad Hughes (Lisa), son Joshua Hughes (Ashley), daughter Amber Mauser (Bernard), stepson Shawn Chumita, stepson Douglas Chumita (Hanna), and grandchildren Irelynn Hughes, MacKenzie Hughes, Weston Hughes, Stevie Chumita, Isaiah Mauser, Levi Mauser, Justus Mauser, Corban Mauser, and Aletheia Mauser. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Audrey Heineman, brother Larry Hughes, and sisters Pam Stout (Bob) and Cindy DeMarco (Anthony).