Obituary of Ronald Gene Hughes

Ronald Gene Hughes age 70, of Max Meadows, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024. Ron was born on July 28, 1953 in Baltimore MD. At the age of 15 he moved to VA with his parents and resided in Graham’s Forge where he attended Fort Chiswell High School. At the age of 18 he married his High School sweetheart and immediately “went to work” to build a life of happiness for them. He attended Wytheville Community College to receive his Associates degree in Business, while being manager of the Men’s Department of Belk in Wytheville and was quickly promoted to Manager of the Belk store in Princeton, WVA. At the age of 22 he joined his father in the construction business, which is now known as Hughes Construction, Inc. He worked as a class A contractor, proudly designing and building 352 houses and multiple rental properties in Wythe County. During this time, he utilized his skills as a real estate investor, banker, draftsman and architect to build a successful business. He was also active in all things related to improving the community and organization of his small town. He was proud that in the last several months his son and 2 grandsons returned to Hughes Construction, carrying on 5 generations of the family business. While Ron was a successful carpenter and businessman, he also was a devoted Christian who attended Graham’s Forge United Methodist Church faithfully most of his life, holding multiple offices and supporting the church and United Methodist Conference as a lay speaker and supporting his church family on all levels. He recently became an active attendee of Draper Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church. He had a strong faith in God and loved working for the Lord in any capacity he saw a need. Where there was a void, he would step up and take on the challenge, from building improvements to directing the choir. He was an avid lover of music. He was a self-taught drummer and a member of the Trailblazers Quartet, traveling every weekend to share his talent as a drummer and a singer, but most importantly to share his love of Jesus. He loved to sing and as his health declined, he devoted much of his time to practicing his music every day so he could perfect solos to sing at church. Ron also developed a love for cattle and dove into farming as a hobby and a way to relax. He turned this hobby into H&H Farms with his son, becoming successful in the Gelbvieh breeding business and establishing friendships within the Gelbvieh cattle organization. Recently, he became a licensed real estate agent and was excited to start a new journey as an official real estate agent. Ron, or Ronnie, has much success to be proud of, more than can be listed here, but his greatest love was for his family and closest friends. He was a devoted brother and father, never missing a sporting event no matter how far away or how much he had to do. He loved his lifelong wife and was happiest when the 2 of them were around their children and grandchildren sharing stories about their life together. If you knew Ron Hughes, you knew 1 thing….He LOVED TO WORK! But his work was more than a job or a career and every minute of it was for his family. It was about building a legacy; being remembered as a good man that loved the Lord; a man that always took care of his family; a man that taught us that the world is tough, but you have to be tougher; a man of principal, values, morals, and belief in the idea that hard work and honesty would always pay off in the end; a man that stood firmly on the fact that no matter what, God was in control and prayer could change the world! Ron ended a 25 year battle with Crohn’s Disease on Feb 9, 2024 surrounded by his family. His work boots will never be filled, but his life will be honored in the many successes he left behind and the family that cherish every memory with him. Ron, Dad, Daddy, Paw, Mr. Hughes…. your work on Earth is finally done! You’ve made and crossed off your last “to do” list. You did your job, and you did it more than well!! We know without a doubt that God has said to you “Well done, my GOOD and FAITHFUL servant. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Trula Hughes and special nephew Joshua Hughes. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Nancy Hughes of Max Meadows; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Kevin Matthews of Max Meadows; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Heather Hughes of Max Meadows; brother and sister in-in-law, Steve and Juanita Hughes of Elon, NC; six grandchildren, Lynsey Phillippi, Reed Phillippi, Greyson and Sydney Hughes, Aubrey Hughes, Mallaury Hughes and Ella Hughes; two step grandchildren Emma and Gray Matthews; and many special sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held at 7 P.M. Monday, February 12, 2024 at the Draper Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church with Pastor Mike Ingo and Reverend Ray Bolen officiating. A graveside service will be held Tuesday at 11 A.M. in the West End Cemetery in Wytheville. The family will receive friends from 4 until 7 P.M. Monday at the Draper Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the https://www.joshuadanehughesfoundation.org/ Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com The Hughes family is in the care of Grubb Funeral Home, Wytheville, Va.