Richard “Arnold” Hughes

Published 4:01 pm Friday, November 2, 2018

Richard “Arnold” Hughes, age 76, of Hampton went home to be with the Lord on Friday, November 2, 2018, from the Hermitage Health Center.  Arnold was born in Carter County to the late David N. Hughes, Sr. and Dealie Stephens Hughes.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Flo Hughes; two brothers, Robert Lee Hughes and David Hughes, Jr.; and a sister, Sophina Ware.

Arnold was a loving husband, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a lifelong friend to many.  He graduated from Hampton High School, where he played basketball and was part of the 1960 basketball team that won the State Championship.  Arnold retired from General Motors as an assembly worker and was a member of Sunset Freewill Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee and as an assistant Sunday school teacher of the adult class. Arnold loved fishing and was an avid fisherman.  He was also very devoted to his church and his church family.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Dianne L. Morelock Hughes, of the home; three daughters, Brenda Morelock, of Elizabethton, Amy Gouge and husband Jason, of Hampton and Gina Hatfield, of Crossville, TN; a son, Rob Rhea and wife Jama, of Auburn, IN; a sister, Joan Hathaway, of Old Fort, NC; his grandchildren, Joshua Crumley, Megan Slagle and husband Bo, Gabriel Gouge, Charles Baines, Breely Taylor and husband Todd, T.J. Schroeder and wife Stephanie and Will Schroeder; his great-grandchildren, Hunter Slagle, Lily Slagle, Tanner Taylor, Travis Taylor and Colbie Taylor; his brothers-in-law, Verlin Stevens, Les Stevens and Don Morelock; his sisters-in-law, Delores Honeycutt and Carolyn Singleton; three special nephews, Robert Hughes, Kelvin Hughes and Chris Hughes.  Several other nieces and nephews also survive.

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A service to honor and celebrate the life of Richard Arnold Hughes will be conducted at 7:00 PM on Sunday, November 4, 2018, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Rev. Terry Richardson and Rev. Gary Whitehead, officiating.  Music will be under the direction of the Sunset Free Will Baptist Church Choir and Quartet.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the funeral home chapel, prior to the service on Sunday or at the residence at any time.

The graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 5, 2018, at Happy Valley Memorial Park.  Active pallbearers will be Bo Slagle, Danny Cox, Scott Odom, Kelvin Hughes, Bob Hughes and Chris Hughes.  Honorary pallbearers will be Verlin Stevens, Joshua Crumley, Larry Townson, Jason Gouge, Gabriel Gouge and Les Stevens.  Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton at 10:15 AM on Monday to go in procession.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Hermitage Health Care with a special thanks to the nurses and staff of the 5200 floor of Johnson City Medical Center.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations, in honor of Gabriel Gouge, to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.

Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com

Mr. Hughes and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton.  Office, 423-542-2232, service information line, 423-543-4917.