Harold Loyd Hughes

Harold Loyd Hughes, 81, of Hughes Road, a loving husband, brother, father and grandfather passed away peacefully at Hinkle Hospice Home on Monday, October 5, 2015, after a nine month extended illness. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday at Davidson Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Jason Koonts and Fred Carlton officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will follow in Forest Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and other times at the home of his daughter on Alicen Drive. Mr. Hughes was born August 15, 1934, in Davidson County to Eula Hughes Hunt. He was of Baptist faith. He was a former member of Community Baptist Church where he sang in a Gospel quartet. He most recently was visited and ministered by members of Westside Baptist Church in Lexington. Harold was an E5 Sargent in the US Army of the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg. He was a jump master in his platoon and participated in over 275 jumps. He played baseball for the US Army and continued playing in a semi-professional league as a left handed pitcher. He was an avid sports fan and loved the Atlanta Braves, professional golf and college basketball. He retired from JP Stevens Trucking Co. as a truck driver, but, his second career became his true passion. Harold had the opportunity to drive NASCAR transportation haulers for Rusty Wallace, Sterling Marlin, and Terry Labonte. His career afforded him the ability to visit every state in the country he loved so dearly. Next to his home and family, he loved traveling on the racing circuit. In addition to his mother he was preceded in death by his step-father, John Hunt; and brothers, JD Hunt and Wayne Hunt. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara Floyd Hughes; son, Todd Hughes and wife Delane of Clemmons; daughters, Lori Johnson of Lexington and Sandy Hughes of High Point; grandson, Jared Johnson. Jared and his “Pappy” were best friends and each other’s “Buddies.” They shared a special bond that will never be broken. Also surviving are a brother, David Hunt and wife Wanda of Trinity; and a step-grandson, Josh Shoaf. The family would like to thank faithful friends for the extended outpour of visits, calls and prayers over Harold’s period of illness.