Harry L Hughes' Obituary
Harry L. Hughes, Jr., age 92, of Ocala, Fl. passed away peacefully in Gainesville surrounded by family on June 15, 2022. Harry “Buz” was born in Baltimore, MD on December 1, 1929. He grew up in Baltimore and earned his Eagle Scout award at the age of 15. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1955 with a degree in Industrial engineering. He went on to earn additional degrees in Physics, Astrophysics, Theology, and a master’s in Mathematics. He taught Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Sciences at Troy State University. He was a retired Lt. Colonel in the Air Force, was a pilot, and was very proud of his service. He retired from active duty in 1975 from the 3246th test flight wing at Elgin Air Force base. After 6 months he was called back to continue his work in research and development as an electronic and systems engineer. His work included bombing and navigation systems and first-generation laser-guided missile systems. He began work on a Ph.D. in system science but before he could finish was sent to Sunnyvale, CA to work in the Lockheed Space and Missile division and spent a year at Nelis AFB in Nevada. He retired from government service after 37 years in December 1992. His adventures continued as he bought a 40-foot RV and spent the next several years traveling all over the US and Canada. He found a love for hiking, especially in the Rockies and later in the mountains of North Carolina. He was a handball champion in his younger years. He was an amateur astronomer and would travel around the country, telescope, and family in tow, chasing eclipses. He was an avid runner and competed in many Senior Games competitions in Florida earning himself many trophies and ribbons. He loved playing classical guitar. He earned his certification in scuba diving. He was an avid sailor and loved to water ski. He loved the Florida Gators and cheering them on. He loved meeting people and having deep conversations. We will truly miss him.
He met the love of his life, Barbara “Babs” in Daytona Beach during the summer of 1955 and the rest was history. They were married on June 23, 1956, and were just shy of celebrating 66 years of marriage.
He leaves behind his wife Barbara, children Kathy (Marty) and Linda, grandchildren Nina, Alyssa, Cassandra, Heather (Grant), and Aaron (Lauren), and great-grandchildren Cooper, Felicity, Aria, and Brielle. He joins in heaven many family members including his parents Alba and Harry Sr., Adele and Jimmy, Ed and Cathy, Mike, Laurine, and close family friend Larry. The family will host a celebration of life and military services will be held at The National Cemetery in Bushnell at a later date. The family would like to thank Haven Hospice of Gainesville for their deep compassion and loving care of our father during his final days.
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