Ralph Clinton C. Hughes

Ralph Clinton Hughes, age 91 of Murphy, NC, passed away July 1, 2011 at Murphy Medical Center Nursing Home. Hughes was born January 21, 1920 in Murphy, NC to the late William Robert Hughes and Thursea Brown Hughes. He was a member of New Martins Creek Baptist Church.
Mr. Hughes was a US Army Air Corp veteran serving in WW II he was sworn in on August 24, 1942 and served his basic training in Alabama. He received special training in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Boston, MA ,Leesburg, FL and Greensboro, NC. He spent twenty-three months in Iceland where he was a diesel equipment operator helping to build 40' X 100' building, he built targets to zero the fighter planes in on, worked in the weapons shop. He was a gunner on the 50 caliber machine guns. A special vehicle operator 932, he operated diesel powered machinery in the construction of overseas air base. He also had experience driving standard 1/2 ton Army vehicles. He was a 38 MM anti-tank gunner, 610, duty soldier. He served thirty-nine months and was honorable discharged November 24, 1945 as a PFC. He received the Good Conduct, EAME, American Theater Metal, WWII Victory Metal, Rifle Sharp Shooter M1-Rifle and MM Bayonet Expert metals.
He had spent most of his working life as a heavy equipment motor grader operator building roads and interstate highways.
Clinton was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 60 years, Lillian Oliver Hughes who passed away June 20, 2008. Five brothers Ross, Roy, Mark, William Voyd, Troy Hughes and sister Lennie Hughes Lane.
Survivors include: daughter, Jeanette Sue Hughes, daughters and son-in-laws, Iris and Tim Buchanan, Sharon and David Earwood, grandsons, Travis (Crystal) Chastain, Guy Roberts, great grandchildren, Haley and Hayden Dale Chastain..
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 7:30 pm at the Cochran Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul Ray Morgan, Rev. Aud Brown and Rev. Hoyt Brown officiating.
Internment will follow Wednesday July 6, 2011 at 10:30AM from the New Martins Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors by Murphy VFW Post 10222, Joe Miller Elkin American Legion Post 96, DAV Chapter 73,Clay County VFW Post 6812 Allison Bristol and the North Carolina National Guard.
The following gentlemen have been asked to serve as pallbearers, Travis Chastain, Timothy Buchanan, Keith Berry, Randy Zimmerman, Keith Lockaby and Kevin Lockaby. Honorary pallbearers, Guy Roberts, Hayden Dale Chastain, Ralph Oliver,David Earwood, Wendell Chastain, Derwin Chastain, Phillip Chastain, L.C. Chastain, Benjamin Chastain, Harvey Stalcup, Ronnie Bates, Floyd Hughes, Chad Berry,Tom Berry, Junior Fleming, and James Martin.
The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy, Tuesday, July 05, 2011 from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy, NC. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.