Ralph Clinton Hughes, age 91 of Murphy, NC, passed away July 1, 2011 at Murphy Medical Center Nursing Home.

Hughes was born January 21, 1920 in Murphy, NC to the late William Robert Hughes and Theressa Brown Hughes. He was a member of New Martins Creek Baptist Church.

Mr. Hughes was a US Army Air Core veteran serving in WW II he was sworn in on August 24, 1942 and served his basic training in Alabama. He received special training in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Boston, MA and Greensboro, NC. He spent twenty-three months in Iceland where he was a diesel equipment operator helping to build 40′ X 100′ building, he built targets to zero the fighter planes in on, worked in the weapons shop. He was a gunner on the 50 caliber machine guns. A special vehicle operator 932, he operated diesel powered machinery in the construction of overseas air base. He also had experience driving standard 1/2 tom Army vehicles. He was a 38 MM anti-tank gunner, 610, duty soldier. He served thirty-nine months and was honorable discharged November 24, 1945 as a PFC. He received the Good Conduct, EAME, American Theater Metal, WWII Victory Metal, Rifle Sharp Shooter M1-Rifle and MM Bayonet Expert metals. He had spent most of his working life as a heavy equipment motor grader operator building roads and interstate highways.

Survivors include: daughter, Jeanette Sue Hughes, daughter, Iris Buchanan, daughter, Sharon Earwood.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 7:30 pm at the Cochran Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul Ray Morgan, Rev. Aud Brown and Rev. Hoyt Brown officiating.

Internment will follow Wednesday July 6, 2011 at 10:30AM from the New Martins Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The following gentleman have been ask to serve as pallbearers: Travis, Chastain, Timothy Buchanan, Keith Berry, Randy Zimmerman, Keith Lockaby and Kevin Lockaby. Honorary pallbearers, Guy Roberts, Hayden Dale Chastain, Ralph Oliver, Wendell Chastain, Derwin Chastain, Phillip Chastain, L.C. Chastain, Benjamin Chastain, Harvey Stalcup, Ronnie Bates, Floyd Hughes, Chad Berry, Junior Fleming, David Earwood and James Martin.

The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy, Tuesday, July 05, 2011 from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy, NC. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.