Don Hughes, 87, retired lumberman and sawmill operator, died Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Born on December 24, 1923 in Tabor City, NC, he was the son of the late Willa Leon Leggette Hughes and David James Hughes. He was a life long member of Tabor City Baptist Church, a Deacon, and a Sunday School teacher for over 60 years. Mr. Hughes graduated from Tabor City High School in 1941 and The Citadel Military College of SC class of 1949 (ex-’45). He also attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Pennsylvania Military College where he was enrolled in the Army Specialist Training program, and Davidson College with the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program. A veteran of World War II he served in the European Theater of operations. He was a life member of The Citadel Alumni Association, Cape Fear Citadel Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6064, and American Legion Post 507. He will be remembered for his dedication to the Tabor City Rotary Club since 1949 (a Paul Harris Fellow) and for his over 50 years of service to the Tabor City Volunteer Fire Dept.- having served as Asst. Chief for many years. In 2000 he was awarded the Tabor Medal of Honor by the Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce as citizen of the year for outstanding service to the community and dedication to various civic projects, committees, and his position as the community’s master carpenter. Don Hughes is survived by his wife Esther Leah McGougan Hughes, a daughter Donna Leah Hughes Sanders (Rod) of Myrtle Beach, SC and two sons: John McGougan Hughes (Judy) of Jacksonville, FL and Charles Rockwell Hughes of Seneca, SC; five grandchildren: Donald Sanders, Hughes Sanders, David Hughes (Leigh), Daniel Hughes (Christine), and Nora Hughes Blankenship (Andy); one brother Jack Hughes and sisters Lillian Webster and Gwen Barnes. He is predeceased by a brother Phil Hughes. Funeral services will be Thursday(June 30,2011) at 11 AM in Tabor City Baptist Church with Pastor Bruce Schmidt officiating. Burial will follow at Myrtle Green Cemetery, Tabor City, NC. The family will receive friends Wednesday night from 6 until 8 PM at Inman Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Tabor City Baptist Church, 200 Live Oak St., Tabor City, NC 28463. Tags: 1949
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