Leslie Harold "Buck" Hughes passed away peacefully at his log cabin in Hankamer, Texas on Thursday, June 23, 2016. Buck had become increasingly weary this past year and longed to be reunited with his loving bride, Bettie Jo.

Leslie "Buck" was born in a cotton shack in Childress County near the Collingsworth County line to Johnny Barlow Hughes and Nora Dukes. At the age of 17 Buck joined the Navy to serve his country during World War II. He served in the Pacific aboard the USS Montrose APA 212 from Dec 1943 to May 1946. His ship took part in "Operation Iceberg" in 1945 and when their ship secured Menna-Shima Island on , April 15th, 1945, Buck was part of the amphibious landing crew, as he had to send signal messages back to the ship.

Upon returning from the war Buck pursued and captured the heart of Bettie Jo Caruthers. They were married on April 12, 1947 in Fort Worth, Texas. Their time together spanned nearly 50 years. In 1953 Buck went to work for Gulf Oil Company in Eunice, New Mexico as a process operator. He transferred to the Baytown plant in 1963. He quickly advanced to "A" Operator and was a shift supervisor for many years. Gulf Oil was eventually bought out by Chevron Oil Company and Buck retired from there in 1983 after a 30 year career.  After retirement Buck and Bettie moved to Yaupon Cove in Onalaska where he resided until moving to Hankamer in 2009.

Words seem insufficient to express the legacy Buck leaves behind for his sons. He mirrored such a life of integrity for his boys teaching them by example how to be "Men of Honor". He was honest to a fault and his word was as binding as a signed affidavit. He taught them by example how to love their wives and provide for their families, even if it took 3 jobs to do it. He was always quick with a smile, never met a stranger, always a gentleman, and could have you laughing in short order with his quick witted responses. The evening before he died his nurse, Meagan hugged him and told him she was sorry for making him uncomfortable. He gave her a quick smirk and said, "You sure don't look sorry." That was Pop, always making light of even a bad situation forever keeping a positive outlook.

Buck is predeceased by his parents, brother, Joe Hughes, brother Bill Hughes, wife Bettie Jo Hughes, and son Phil Hughes. He is survived by his brother, Richard Hughes (Deloria) of Cross Plains, Texas, sister, Sherrie Lynn Templeton (Terry) of Granbury, Texas, son, Gary Hughes, (Georgie) of Livingston, Texas, son, Dwain "Buddy" Hughes, (Sherry) of Wallisville, Texas, son, Max Hughes, (Marie) of Hankamer, Texas, 8 grandsons, 7 granddaughters, 36 great-grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his faithful Boston Bulldog of 17 years, Boots.

Visitation will be at Cochran Funeral Home in Onalaska, Texas from 5:00-7:00 pm, Saturday, June 25th. The funeral will be held at the same location at 2:00 pm, Sunday with Pastor Len Shoemaker officiating. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Onalaska.

Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons Jay Todd Hughes, Allan Hughes, Keith Hughes, Chris Hughes, Clint Hughes, and Shane Hughes. Honorary pallbearers are granddaughters Monica Oakley, Tonya Burwell, Angie Edmonds, Kristina Hughes, Kacie Hughes, and Kara Hughes.

Arrangements are under direction of Cochran Funeral Home, 212 Old Groveton Rd,Onalaska, TX  (936) 646-2558