Services for Claude "Rusty" Granville Hughes, Jr., 87, of Livingston, Texas will be held Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with Mike Mayhugh officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Rose Cemetery in Livingston, Texas. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel.

Claude Granville "Rusty" Hughes, Jr was born July 23, 1936, in Corrigan Texas to parents Claude Granville Hughes, Sr and Flourence (Hayes) Hughes and passed away peacefully October 24, 2023, in Livingston, Texas. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Francis June (Wisenbaker) Hughes, his parents, brothers Granville, Alton and Lloyd and sister Edna Earl.

Rusty was born and raised in Corrigan.  He grew up a farm boy helping water and prune the tomatoes among other farm chores. He was an all-around athlete at Corrigan-Camden High School but excelled in football and track.  In 1954, during the Korean War, Rusty enlisted in the Army.  During boot camp at Ft. Leonard Wood, he was identified as a gifted runner, running the 440 in 51 seconds.  He was deployed to the 7th Army in Germany and ran track for the U.S. Army European Command and was an infantryman.

After his service in the military, he came back to Polk County and attended Angelina College.  He excelled in sales and worked in the Houston area.

In 1966, he married June Wisenbaker. In 1969, June and Rusty moved back to Polk County and opened Rusty's Bait & Tackle. The summer of 1970 they bought the marina below the Lake Livingston Dam from Putney and Mary Moore. That's where Rusty started frying catfish and their famous hushpuppies. They were in continuous business in Polk County for over 48 years including Trinity River Fish Market, Lake Livingston Area Homes, and Hughes Beauty Box. Although most famously known for Hughes Catfish Inn in Livingston and Navasota. For 33 years you could find Rusty in the kitchen frying fish or sitting at a table drinking coffee and visiting with his customers.  Rusty and June liked to go to Vegas, so every summer when Scott and Todd were growing up, he'd take June and the boys for his birthday, traveling all over the Western US, even stopping at the Houston Oilers training camp.  Rusty loved to hunt and fish, and boy did he have some stories.  Rusty enjoyed his farms and his cattle.  After retiring from Hughes Catfish Inn Rusty liked to stay active.  You could always find him working in his yard. In the last year he enjoyed watching his grandson Simon play baseball, playing with his great-grandsons Weston & Stetson and even went to Disney World.

Rusty is survived by his son, Scott Hughes and wife Toni of Livingston; son, Todd Hughes of Livingston; Grandsons, Hunter Hughes, Jeffrey Cagle and Simon Hughes; Granddaughter Becca Dillon and husband Ryan; Great-Grandsons Phoenix Hughes, Weston Dillon, Stetson Dillon and Archer Hughes. Along with  numerous  nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers: Hunter Hughes, Phoenix Hughes, Jeffrey Cagle, Simon Hughes, Ryan Dillon, Kenneth Hammack, Trey McClish,Carlos Mejia, David "Shorty" Hughes, and David "Bubba" Hughes.

Honorary Pallbearers: Miller Moffett, Polk County Constable Precinct One Office and Former employees of Hughes Catfish Inn and Claude Hughes.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rusty's name to Polk County Cares, 300 North Washington, Livingston, Tx 77351.