Benjamin "Fred" Hughes

Benjamin "Fred" Frederick Hughes, 89, of rural Odessa, Missouri passed away on Friday July 19, 2013 at home surrounded by family. Mt. Hope Lodge 476 will have a service starting at 6:00 p.m. Sunday July 21, 2013 at the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, July 22, 2013 at the funeral home, 306 S. Second St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524. Visitation will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, July 21, 2013 at the Funeral Home. Burial with Military Rites will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Hope Lodge 476. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ralphojones.com. Fred was born on September 14, 1923 to Darlene Hughes in Sugar Creek, MO. He was a graduate of William Chrisman High School in Independence, MO. On December 7, 1942 Fred enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged on October 18, 1945. While in the Navy he served in World War II. On July 9, 1949 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged on January 4, 1959. While in the Air Force, Fred served in the Korean Conflict. On July 24, 1942 Fred was united in marriage to Betty June Hughes in Independence, MO. Fred and Betty Hughes were married for 67 years before she preceded him in death on October 12, 2009. He was a Deacon and member of the Community of Christ Church in Bates City, MO. He was a member of the Mt. Hope Lodge 476, a Boy Scout Master of Troop 222 and a Little League Coach. Fred worked as an electrical contractor and retired as a Process Operator for Standard Oil. He also owned a Car Wash in Odessa and delivered the Kansas City Star for many years. After retirement, Fred settled on a farm south of Odessa. Fred is survived by two children, Patty McDole and husband Stewart of Lamoni, Iowa and Doug Hughes and wife Betty of Lees Summit, MO; three grandchildren, Mica Wiemann and husband Jake, Chad McDole and wife Amber and Corey Brown and husband Josh; six great grandchildren, Tyson, Trevor, Mark, Tate, Cooper and Finley; and a very special friend and companion Virginia Braun of Odessa, MO.