W. Gene Hughes

W. Gene Hughes, age 83, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 8th, 2023. He was born on August 8, 1940, in Gastonia, North Carolina, as one of three children born to Fred and Inez Hughes.

After graduating from Central High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, Gene attended the University of South Carolina. He worked his way through school and graduated in 1963 with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Economics. Shortly after graduation, on September 1, 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth. Gene also dedicated eight years to the United States Army Reserves.

Gene embarked on a successful career with E. I. DuPont in 1966. His journey with the company took him to Kinston, North Carolina, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and eventually to Hendersonville, Tennessee, as his career progressed. Gene dedicated over 30 years to DuPont and retired from the Old Hickory Plant in Nashville, Tennessee, in December 2000. While working for DuPont, Gene discovered his passion for art, which led him to serve as the general contractor while building a family home in Hixson, Tennessee. This passion ignited his venture into custom homebuilding. He built homes in both Chattanooga and Hendersonville before co-founding Hughes-Edwards Builders with Bryan Edwards in 1997. Gene became a Master Builder, and Hughes-Edwards Builders became a member of the Master Custom Builder Council. The company achieved numerous accolades for building award-winning custom homes in Middle Tennessee.

As a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina, Gene was an avid Gamecock fan. He relished attending football and other games while proudly displaying his Garnet and Black wardrobe. Living in Tennessee, surrounded by a sea of orange, Gene eagerly anticipated the USC-Tennessee football games each year, often combined with trips to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, or Charleston, South Carolina, with friends.

A man of deep faith, Gene was an active member of the Hendersonville First United Methodist Church and the Poe Williams Sunday School Class. Throughout the years, he served the church on the Staff Parrish Committee and Trustees, sang in the choir, ushered, and contributed in numerous other ways.

Gene held a central role in the Hughes family's universe as a treasured patriarch. He cherished spending time with his children and grandchildren, coaching his children’s youth sports teams in football, softball, and baseball. He was known for teaching many young baseball and softball players the art of pitching, followed by well-deserved ice cream treats after victorious games. He enthusiastically attended, supported, and offered wise counsel to his children and grandchildren in their various activities, including sports such as football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and lacrosse games; gymnastics meets, wrestling matches, cheerleading competitions, and other athletic endeavors. He was equally devoted to their non-athletic pursuits, including piano, voice, or dance; club events, school plays, grandparents' day, school award ceremonies, and any other activities they pursued. Gene found immense enjoyment in supporting and encourage each child and grandchild to achieve their full potential.

Gene was preceded in death by his father Fred Hughes, mother Inez Hughes, and sister Doris Trull. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Ruth; daughter Sharon (Bryan) Edwards; son Michael Hughes; son Christopher (Scottie) Hughes; twin sister Jane Vickery; brother-in-law Bob Muhl (Cindy); and grandchildren Elizabeth (Addison) Bennett, Hillary Edwards, Elliott Hughes, Houston Hughes, Alexandria Hughes, Farrah Hughes, and several nieces.