Richard Hughes

Richard Delmonte Hughes, 92, of Chattanooga, passed away peacefully from this life on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, and went to be with our Lord. A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., Mr. Hughes graduated from City High School in 1938. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Chattanooga while working for what was then known as American Lava. In 1942, Richard entered the Navy and served in WWII in the Pacific as an Aviation Radio Man First Class. He was honorably discharged in 1945. After serving his country, he returned to work at American Lava in Chattanooga, andin 1954 to take a job at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. At Blue Cross Blue Shield, Richard oversaw the phone system and communications. He helped form and coach the company softball team for women. After 34 years of service, he retired as a service coordinator. Richard helped form the retirees' organization at Blue Cross Blue Shield and volunteered at the Tennessee Aquarium as a docent. He was a member of the Margaret Pennington Sunday School Class, the TOTS senior group, and FYTS couples group at Tyner United Methodist Church. Mr. Hughes was preceded in death by his parents Charles Coleman Hughes and Blanch Collins Hughes; his brother Charles Raymond Hughes; sister Gladys H. Poston; and half-brother Kenneth Eugene Hughes.He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dotty Hughes; daughter Cindy H. (Dave) Barksdale; grandchildren Kate (Jarrod) Barksdale-Luna, Rachel B. (Josh) Wilson; great-grandchild Riley Lynn Wilson; brother-in-laws, Donald (Ruth) Adair and Warren E. Adair; and a niece and two nephews.Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Glenn Mosley and Rev. Charlie Harrison officiating. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family and view thememorial tribute.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials sent to the Community Kitchen, 727 East 11th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403 or Tyner United Methodist Church, The Building Fund, 6805 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421. The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga,TN 37421.