Joe Frank Hughes of Opelika, Alabama, was born to the late Colvin and Jettie Hughes in Elmore County, Alabama, March 16, 1939, and passed away Oct. 27, 2021 with his wife and son by his side. He was 82 years old.
He was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
A graduate of Cliff High, 1957, he received an invite for a basketball scholarship to Southern Cal, instead played semi-pro basketball for a year before moving back to Opelika and starting a job at Southern Natural Gas. Later when the family returned from living briefly in Birmingham, he worked at Uniroyal-Goodrich before starting a landscaping business, which he did until he retired. An avid sportsman, he played many years of softball, was awarded MVP numerous times, but most memorable was being inducted into the Alabama Softball Slow Pitch Heartland Hall of Fame in 2010.
Joe was a faithful member of Providence Baptist Church and the Encouragers Sunday School Class.
Joe Frank was a man who loved people and treated everyone like a dear friend. His personality was larger than life and he never met a stranger. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and playing host. He will be forever missed and his memory cherished.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ralph Forbus, and first wife of 57 years and mother of Tim, Reba Fields Hughes.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah Sasser Hughes; son, Tim (Jennifer) Hughes; step-children, Todd (Donna) Sasser, Chris (Sharron) Sasser; Brother, Tom (Eudene) Hughes; Grandchildren, Nathan (Morgan) Hughes, Alison (Marc) Woodall; step-grandchildren, Taylor (Joe) Janning, John Sasser, Kate Sasser, Logan Sasser, Will (Savannah) Sasser, Zac (Diana) Zito; Great-grandchildren, Bayleigh and Grayson Hughes, Keegan and Keely Woodall; step great-grandchildren, Claire and Mason Sasser and Luca Zito; In-laws, Betty Prescott, Sue Fields, Hal Smith, Martha Jo Dudley, Dallas Smith. Also many beloved relatives.
We will miss his sense of humor and his protective and caring ways.
Visitation was on Oct. 31 in the Parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home and the funeral service was at 3 p.m. with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating. Interment followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Providence Baptist Church Building Fund.