James “Ned” Edward Hughes
December 25, 1936 – November 11, 2020
The family will receive friends at 1PM Saturday, November 14 at Rivertree Church Downtown. Service following at 2PM. Private burial at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Ned is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Betty Hughes; their son, Jason Hughes (Elizabeth); their daughter Mirandy Bennett (Tyler); and granddaughters, Sullivan Bennett and Reece Sharp.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Phares A. Hughes and H. Louise Hughes.
Ned was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. He moved many times throughout his childhood and told stories of life in Atlanta and New York City. He attended school at Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee. And graduated with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University. After college, he served in the U.S. Navy for four years and the reserves for an additional seven. He moved to Huntsville in the sixties to work for NASA. He worked on the Saturn V rocket, the shuttle program and countless others. After retiring from NASA, he worked for contractors for the next 25 years.
Ned was an avid golfer and scored six hole-in-ones over the past 40 years. He was an excellent skier, hunter, painter, photographer, and a technology geek. He was passionate about reading, music, and praising Jesus. He served as a Gideon, as a deacon, and on various committees in his church; and he enjoyed singing with the ukulele choir. And most of all he enjoyed being a father, and “Rocket” to his grandkids.
Flowers can be sent to Berryhill Funeral Home. Or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rivertree Church Downtown.
