Dallas Roy Hughes

Dallas R. Hughes
         1932-2019
 

Dallas Roy Hughes passed away peacefully in the home of his daughter, Lavonna, on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.   Born to Alvie and Lexie Ann Hughes in Willard, Missouri, Dallas was the seventh of nine children.  Although he dropped out of school at 14 to pursue  other endeavors, he returned later and, with the help of a diligent school principal, graduated at the age of 21.

As a young man, Dallas joined the Navy.  He fought in the Korean War and flew on the first aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge that carried  atomic warheads.    Having enjoyed a pen-pal relationship with a special young woman while stationed in Korea, Dallas finally met Lavonna Lawson in early April of 1951.  After a whirlwind romance, they married ten days later on April 24, 1951.  Dallas and Lavonna  spent the early years of their marriage in Missouri, where four children joined their union – Lavonna, Connie, Cheryl, and Dallas, Jr.

Following an honorable discharge from a four-year stint with the Navy on June 26, 1953, Dallas was unable to find employment in Missouri.  His sister, Arlene, helped him land a job in Othello, Washington.  He traveled ahead of his wife and children, all under the age of five, to Othello, where he began working for Western Farmers.  A natural salesman, he relished his new position and soon brought Lavonna and the children there.  Another child, Dale, also joined the family.  Dallas  later worked for several farm agencies as a “field” man throughout the Northwest and eventually retired from a management position with Bly in Moses Lake.

Dallas and Lavonna spent much of their retirement years traveling.  They enjoyed summers in Alaska and winters in Lake Havasu, Arizona, until they settled in Copper Center, Alaska, in 1993.  They also spent much time fishing and hunting.  Dallas and Lavonna remained in Copper Center until 2010, when they opted for a warmer climate and settled on Nampa, Idaho, where they could enjoy children and grandchildren living nearby.

Dallas especially enjoyed attending Nampa's First Church of the Nazarene; he looked forward to seeing old and new friends there each week.  Dallas loved people and particularly appreciated the love and care he received from DaVitas, where he visited several times weekly for dialysis, as well as from the doctors and nurses at Veteran's Affairs.  A special thanks to Tobi of Horizon Health Home Care. A strong family man, Dallas led his family in a variety of activities.  He “lived” to fish and hunt—particularly with his sons and even his daughters before and after retiring.  His family also enjoyed kite flying, boating, and water skiing.  Along with Lavonna, he taught his children to work hard.

Dallas was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, his parents, his five siblings, and his grandson, Steven Allee. Dallas is survived by his five children: Lavonna Allee, Connie (Greg) Cardenalli, Cheryl (Tim) Davis, Dallas (Becky) and Dale (Shelley) Hughes; thirteen grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and one great, great granddaughter.  His brother John, and two sisters, Viola and Deloris, all from Missouri, also survive him.

Dallas' final service will take place on Tuesday, March 5, at 11:00 at the VA Cemetery in Boise.  Donations may be given to the Department of Veterans Affairs Home Health at 500 W. Fort Street in Boise 83702 or to First Church of the Nazarene at 601 16th Avenue S. in Nampa 83651.

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