Gary Russell Hughes

June 1, 1958 - December 22, 2003 Gary was born in Lansing, Michigan to Gerald and Sandy Hughes.He was raised in Charlotte, Michigan where he graduated from Charlotte High in 1976 and then attended Michigan State University where he obtained an engineering degree.He moved to Abilene, Texas in 1980 where he met his wife, Cindy, of 22 years.Gary and Cindy moved to Forney in 1982 and raised two children, Courtney (19) and Greg (17).Gary was very devoted to his family, never stopping to think twice in order to provide the best.He is survived by his wife, Cindy, children, Courtney and Greg, all of Forney; his parents, Jerry and Sandy Hughes of Charlotte, Michigan; brother, Mark Hughes, his wife Val and children Brandon, Andrew and Ashley of Eaton Rapids, Michigan; sister, Laurie Chapman of Charlotte, Michigan and her two sons, Christopher and James of England.Other survivors are Irma Carlton of Richardson; Howard Carlton of Sweetwater; Jerry, Sally, Anna and Jack Carlton of Dallas; Rick, Pam, Derrick and Kevin Carlton of Iowa Park; Teresa, Miranda and Megan Moore of Dallas; and Randy, Holly, Jenna and Connor Bertuccelli of Walnut Creek, California.And several other family members in the Michigan area. Gary was very active in refereeing and coaching little league even before his own children were old enough to participate.He served as a member of the Forney School Board and also had the privilege of being the announcer for the Forney football games for a couple of seasons.He loved sports, fishing, hunting and working in the yard (hard to believe with the hill we have now to mow). Gary was diagnosed with brain cancer in April 2002, but never had a second thought that he was going to fight it.He was determined to live each moment to the fullest and would never complain, no matter how trying the treatments would be.Unfortunately, the disease would not give up and go away and kept coming back in other parts of the brain.He fought the battle with great pride and courage with the support of many family members and friends. Thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers and believe that Gary is at peace. "Each one of us is born for a specific reason and purpose, and each one of us will die when he or she has accomplished whatever was to be accomplished.The in-between depends on our own willingness to make the best of every day, of every moment, of every opportunity.The choice is always yours." Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Services will be 2:00PM Sunday, December 28, 2003, at the New Hope Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Rick Lemons officiating. Family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday evening from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Family requests that memorials be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Rd., Suite 146, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018.