James B. Hughes

James B. Hughes

81; Jeffersonville, IN

Funeral Services for James B. Hughes, Age 81, of Jeffersonville, were held at 11 AM Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, with burial in Queen of Heaven Cemetery.  He passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2010 at Clark Memorial Hospital.

James was a Kentuckiana native who developed his natural artistic abilities at a young age.  As a child he began drawing, painting, then later expanded his interests into intricate woodcarving and carpentry.  He was an illustrator for “The Companion,” a magazine for Province of Our Lady of Consolation at Mt. St. Francis where he attended High School and graduated Valedictorian of his class.  He attended several different schools throughout his life, particularly during the 1937 flood.  As Jeffersonville, IN recovered from intense water damage, his family moved to Lansing, Michigan for one year.  He later attended Catholic University in Washington D.C., and the University of Louisville, receiving a Minor in Art, eventually graduating from Bellarmine University with a Major in History.

Locally, Mr. Hughes has been an active member of the community being a Past-President of the Clarksville Optimist Club & Lieutenant Governor of the Indiana District of Optimist International, a member of the Knights of Columbus (Third Degree), in the Third Order of St. Francis, a charter member of Wine Tasters, and a member of the Speed Art Museum.  He was the retired Sr. Vice President of Construction and Safety Director of Hughes Group, Inc., a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and parishioner of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Jeffersonville.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Ruby; son, James T. Hughes (Kathy); 2 daughters, Nancy (Charles) Francavilla, and Kate Hughes; 2 brothers, George and Bill Hughes; sister, Jo Ann Ethridge; and 2 grandchildren, Ryan and Kyle Francavilla.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Avelina Hughes; and a brother, Fr. Thomas Hughes.