Obituary
Alan R. Hughes passed on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 with his wife and friends by his side. He was 65 years old. He was taken far too soon and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but especially by his wife and best friend, Brenda. Alan also leaves behind his three boys whom he was so very proud of. Brian, John, and Andy, respectively of Des Moines, Iowa and Austin, Texas were blessed to bring Alan an extended family of three beautiful daughter in-laws, Shelly, Kaitlyn and Jessica and six precious grandchildren. He loved his grandchildren greatly and wanted nothing more than to be involved in their upbringing and an influence in their lives, which he absolutely was in every way.
Alan was born on November 30, 1951 and grew up in Evansville, Indiana with his mother and father, John and June and his older sister, Carol and younger brother, Johnny Lee. Alan’s family was always a priority for him and he loved them very much.
From a very early age, Alan would spend countless days, months, and summers caring for and enjoying the Hughes family farm in Carmi, Illinois, about an hour from his childhood home in Evansville. It is here that Alan found solace and refuge from the hectic city life, spending time with his beloved parents, fishing, building and tending to the acres of farmland. It is here that he would bring his wife and children for decades, forming memories that will never be forgotten. And it is here that he will rest when his ashes are returned to the shores of the farm’s lake that he built with his father.
Alan met Brenda during high school after being introduced by his cousin in Carmi and instantly fell in love. He wed his high school sweetheart in 1969 and they were blessed to spend nearly every moment of the next 50 years together. They lived in various places around Southern Illinois and Iowa while Alan began his 37-year career at John Deere. In 1975 they had their first son, Brian and began to settle down. After they had their second son, John in 1977 they moved to Bettendorf, IA and worked through the early part of parenthood together. After various John Deere promotions, and after their son Andy was born in 1981, Alan and Brenda ended up transferring to Kansas City, where they would spend the next 25 years together building their life and making memories.
After Alan retired in 2009, chance led him and Brenda to The Villages, Florida. Here, they found their place and enjoyed every moment together, living life to it’s fullest. Alan often remarked how blessed he felt to live in such a beautiful place. Time in Florida was spent visiting every theme park with their kids and grandkids, golfing daily, and making new friends, always with his adored companions Ollie and Jake by his side. He found time to travel the world and experience the great history of mankind, taking cruises and vacations throughout Europe and beyond. He traveled throughout the country often to visit family and friends, none he enjoyed more than visiting his much-loved mother and sister in Tennessee. In addition, Alan6 found an unlikely passion in water volleyball and was even invited to participate in The Villages Senior Games two years in a row, demonstrating that everything he did, he did to the very best of his ability.
Alan was a husband, father, and grandfather. He was a son, brother, and uncle. And as such, he held an undying spirit to preserve the unbreakable bonds of his family in everything that he did. Through his final years in The Villages, Alan truly exemplified what an inspired life should. The affection and inspiration he bestowed to everyone around him now reflects graciously in his children and grandchildren. It is with his love and integrity that they will continue to live in honor of Alan and his legacy.
May God bless his soul for eternity, and may he never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers the family would like donations sent to the Cornerstone Hospice using their website link below and clicking on the “Give” tab at the top.
Service
250 Avenida Los Angelos The Villages, FL 32162
Alan .
We wish to extend our sympathies for your loss.
Although we didn't know Alan well, when we did meet him at a driveway party, he was always pleasant and outgoing.
May the joy of the many wonderful memories with Alan comfort you today and the many days to come. You remain in our thoughts & prayers.
Our hearts go out to you and your family in this most difficult time.
Love
JoAnn and Dave
We became good friends from the beginning. Tim and I always loved Alan he was so clam and such a good family man. Loved being on the go, Brenda and Alan loved to travel. He was one such a good person inside and out. Will miss you, your friends
Tim and Jo Ann Webber