Gerald Lee Hughes Sr. Obituary (1942 - 2015)

Gerald Hughes, age 72, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2015, surrounded by family after a well fought battle with melanoma. Gerald Lee Hughes, aka Grandpa "Butch," was born on November 12, 1942 to Vernace (Ted) and Lillian Swanson Hughes in Georgetown Township, Wisconsin. The first son in a family of seven, his whole life was devoted to hard work, sacrifice, and putting others before himself. Growing up in Wisconsin, his farm chores were nonstop but he rolled through them all until he graduated in May of 1961 from Unity High School. He worked for Jess Peterson's Sawmill in 196l until he left for Glendive, MT where he worked for his uncle Clarence Davis. He lived in Glendive, MT until moving to Norco, CA to work with Bob Baird in his trucking business. Bob helped Gerald start his own trucking business of which he ran for over 20 years. In Feb. 1964 he was married to Joyce Pike, and four children joined and blessed their eternal family. In 1990, the couple and their youngest, Dale, moved to Idaho. He loved to hunt and fish, and whether driving truck for a local farmer, helping his sons with vehicles and lathering on the ever present oil and grease on his well worked and worn hands, or maintaining his yard with his dog Rowdy by his side, Gerald always kept his hat on his head, a beard on his chin, and a grin on his face. He was always using his hands, always hard at work, and stubbornly persevered until finally his work here was complete. He was preceded in death by his parents (1983), oldest sister Nancy (2010), and only daughter Adelle Marie (1987). Gerald is survived by his wife Joyce; six siblings: Laura Van Pelt (Tudy), Janet MacKinnon, Teddy, Julie Carey, and Delbert; three sons: Gerald Lee Jr. (Charlie), Robert, and Dale; eight grandchildren: Ashli, Audra, Noel, Kendall, Carissa, RJ, Nicole, and Kylee; and three great-grandchildren: Kaydence, Kamen, and Keaton. His legacy of hard work and family will forever live on. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 17 at the Kuna LDS Stake Center on the corners of Black Cat and Kuna Roads. A viewing will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd, Nampa (467-7300) and at the church Friday from 1 to 1:45 p.m. prior to the services. Condolences may be expressed at zeyerfuneralchapel.com. Service: Friday, July 17, 2015 2:00 p.m. Kuna LDS Stake Center Corners of Black Cat and Kuna Roads Kuna, Idaho Visitation: Thursday, July 16, 2015 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. And Friday at the church 1:00 t0 1:45 p.m. Prior to the services Zeyer Funeral Chapel 83 N Midland Blvd Nampa, Idaho