Hugh Lawson Fellows, Jr., 79, of Auburn, Alabama, left this Earth for his new home in the early morning hours of May 4, 2023, after a long battle with dementia, which he finally won.
He had a brilliant mind and an exhaustive work ethic. He began his engineering as a pre-teen rebuilding motorcycle engines and racing go-karts. While still in school at Auburn University, he was responsible for significant breakthroughs in the use of solid rocket propellants for rocket engines. He then went on to work in every major discipline of engineering for several different organizations before returning to the Auburn School of Engineering where he finished his career working in several departments and eventually in the Office of the Dean as the engineer for the School of Engineering. Over the course of his career he had a hand in the design of rockets and launching systems, rocket engines, Disney World, various civil engineering projects, amusement rides, early computer control systems, robotic manufacturing systems, formula-one cars, solar powered vehicles, perhaps the first telephone answering machine, pea shellers and any other problem needing a solution. It seemed he could find a solution to any problem he encountered.
One of his greatest accomplishments was identifying and persuading the former Patsy Dean of Dothan, to be his wife. They met in high school and began dating when he was only 16. That relationship continued for 64 years with her serving at his side every moment of the way. The depth of their love was never more evident than during Hugh’s last years when his dementia took much of his once great mind. Patsy loved him with the same joy and even more commitment than she did in their very first years. The two had three children born to them. The first two, Adam and Lance, were born prematurely, and only survived a few days thereafter. A couple years later, their son Mike was born and Hugh loved and guided him as his cherished son long into adulthood. There was nothing Hugh wouldn’t do for his wife and son.
Hugh did lots of smart things, but he would tell you that the smartest thing he ever did was decide to follow Christ. In his early 30s, he recognized that this world’s complexities could not have been an accident. There had to be an engineer behind all of this. After much thought and consideration, he came to the realization that Jesus is exactly who He said He is. Soon thereafter, Hugh committed himself to following Christ for the rest of his days, and that became his most important relationship.
For that reason, his family invites you to celebrate his birth into complete freedom. These days are Hugh’s best days. He has become who he was always intended to be and his joy is complete.
Hugh is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Ruth Fellows and his infant sons, Adam and Lance Fellows. He is survived by his wife, Patsy, and his son, Judge Mike Fellows (Carrie), his grandchildren, Trinity, Gabi, Solomon, and Eva Fellows; Siblings, Pam (John) Moon of Ringold, GA, Paul (Cindy) Fellows of Notasulga, AL, David (Becky) Fellows of McAlpin, FL; Several Cousins, including childhood playmates Merry Christmas Tarrer and Edna Earl Christmas of Auburn; many nieces and nephews and bonus-family, including Willie and Glynda Rivers, Bobby Dean, and Glenn and Lena Sollie, whose grandchild, Seth Lawson Beauchamp, is his namesake.
The Frederick- Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, Alabama hosted a visitation Friday, May 5, 2023, at 6 p.m. The memorial service occured at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at Lakeview Baptist Church and burial followed at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn.
Frederick-Dean Funeral Home handled all arrangements.