Jerry Neal Hughes

Jerry N. Hughes, of Millican, passed away on Thursday, August 23, 2018, at the age of 81.

Jerry was born in Adamsville, Tennessee to Daniel Russell and Johnie Gertrude Hughes. He lived there until the age of five, when he moved to Rockwood, where his father worked on the atom bomb in Oakridge, Tennessee. He learned about trains during this time and developed a passion for model trains from this experience. The family moved to South Houston when he was 9. His constant companion was a dog named “Wrinkle” named after his uncle. Jerry was mostly raised as an only child, as his sister was born 10 years later. He completed his education with a year at DeVry University studying electrical engineering.

Jerry met Linda, the love of his life, at a poker game. According to Linda, it was his 1957 Chevrolet that sealed the deal. The two were married in South Houston on December 22, 1959. In their 58 year marriage, they were blessed with a daughter, Gerry Lee, and a son, Thomas. His family was very important to him, and like most of us, tried to be a better parent than his parents had been. He enjoyed spending time with the family, going on an Alaskan cruise in 2006 and on a pilgrimage to Tennessee with them in 2016.

Although Jerry served in the Texas National Guard tank division and other areas for seven years, most of his work experience came in working with electrical engineering. He began as a journeyman at Houston Lighting and Power and retired as a supervisor in substation maintenance after forty years. He enjoyed the challenges that it presented and used this as a source of scientific learning and problem solving in the electrical world and keeping our lights burning.

Jerry had a good, dry sense of humor and enjoyed a good joke. Although he could be a bit gruff, he was very kindhearted. Intellectual stimulation was important to him, and he enjoyed exploring how things worked. He was a member of the Lions Club for ten years because he enjoyed being of service to others. He had a positive outlook on life, and tried to maintain that even during his illness. He often told his family and friends that, “If I was any better there would be two of me.” He enjoyed hunting, model train building, and trying his luck at scratch-offs. He also liked watching golf tournaments and football games. He will be remembered for his vast knowledge, his loud voice, and the “Jerry-isms” or words he would invent.

Jerry leaves behind his wife Linda Hughes, his daughter Gerry Lee Miale, his son Thomas Hughes, his son-in-law, two granddaughters, two great-grandsons, his dog Tasco, and his cat Lola.

To honor his life, Jerry’s family has planned a celebration gathering to take place at 10 AM with a Life Celebration Service to begin at 11 AM on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at Hillier Funeral Home of College Station. A celebration reception will follow at the Millican Community Center. Interment will be at South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Texas on Thursday, August 30, 2018.