Raymond Gladstone Hughes

Raymond Gladstone Hughes

March 1, 1925 – September 25, 2025

Raymond Gladstone Hughes was born on March 1, 1925, in Hot Coal, WV to parents Robert Raymond Hughes, who was a coal miner, and Edna Jane Smith, a schoolteacher and seamstress. He was the first of five children. The family moved from Hot Coal to Beckley, WV, where Raymond attended Stratton High School. His mother strongly encouraged him to attend a special after-school program for the machine shop, where he excelled. He graduated from high school in 1943.

Although Raymond was drafted into the military while a senior in high school, he was granted a deferment until graduation. He served in the Navy during World War II from 1943 to 1946. While in the Navy, he desalinated seawater to make drinking water while aboard ship. When on land, he worked as a machinist, creating parts to keep ships operational, and also worked in the tool crib. Raymond also cut hair in the Navy, a skill he continued for loved ones and friends.

Raymond married Mary Jean Medley on August 24th, 1947. He attended West Virginia State College, taking his wife with him. While in college, he was initiated into the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. Tau Chapter on December 11, 1948. After graduating from West Virginia State College with a BS in Industrial Arts, the family moved to Detroit, MI. They had five children: Robert, Siegel, Kimberly, Eric, and Lisa.

Once in Detroit, Raymond joined Hartford Avenue Baptist Church and became an active member. He also took that time to complete his master’s degree in education at Wayne State University. Raymond began teaching in the Detroit public school system as a wood shop teacher and retired as the Principal of Columbus Middle School. During his teaching career, he led many extra-curricular activities including being a Boy Scout troupe master. He also began a model yacht club, where the students made working sailboat models which were raced in city-wide regatta competitions.

During his free time, he took immense joy in spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed building garages, finishing basements, and putting roofs on houses. Raymond was an avid sports fan, particularly of football, baseball, and basketball.

After retirement, Raymond continued to be active in his neighborhood and community. He was always known to be a source of knowledge and great support for friends and neighbors. Raymond looked forward to attending family reunions throughout the years.

Raymond departed this life on September 25th, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Edna Hughes; two brothers, Edmond Hughes and Goldwin Hughes; two sisters, Farnese Lumpkin and Edna Adelaide Hughes-Jones; his wife of fifty years, Mary; and two sons, Siegel Hughes and Eric Hughes.

Raymond is survived by two daughters: Kimberly DeAnn Fairman (Joel) of Brighton, MI and Lisa MariaHauser (Douglas) of DeWitt, MI; a son Robert Gladstone Hughes (Marilyn) of New Bern, NC; a daughter-in-law: Sharon Hughes (wife of the late Eric Hughes) of Lansdowne, PA; Thirteen Grandchildren: Siegel G. Howard Jr., Rochelle Hughes-Johnson, Alicia Howard-Smith, Donathan G. Hunt, Brandi Witcher, Siegel Hughes, Sycarah Fisher, Javair Saulsberry, Bradlee Saulsberry, Eric Hughes, Ashley Hughes, Tyler Fairman, Mickilina Hauser, along with many great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, cousins, nephews, and friends.