Initial arrival: March 22, 1944
Final departure July 12, 2024

Gilbert Raymond Hughes transitioned to his next destination at home with his adoring wife, Bobbi Baker-Hughes at his side.

Gilbert lived a long, adventurous life full of love, laughter, joy, travel, and celebrations! (And a little homemade wine which created much of the basis for so many celebrations!)

Born and raised in North Andrew County, Missouri., the fifth of twelve children, Gilbert was a dairy farm boy from the country who dreamed of seeing the world.

So…Gil joined the Air Force after high school in 1962. After serving his country for four years, he still hungered to see more of the world. He obtained a position traveling for Lockheed as an Independent Contractor in Europe and Asia working on helicopter electronics. During this time, his son, Eric Raymond Hughes, was born in the Philippines. (The ultimate travel souvenir!) Eric eventually followed his father’s footsteps and joined the Air Force and like Dad, traveled the world.

Upon returning to the United States, Gil traveled throughout the Midwest selling Harvesters.
(If you’re not a farmer, you might not know… I sure didn’t!)

In time Gil landed at Arrow & Budget Forklift and CharNor Enterprises as Sales Manager. Specializing in forks, engines, transmissions, counterweights, and everything in between. People from around the world would call Gil Hughes, to get the right part for the right price at the right time! And the best customer service you could ever expect!

It was at this point in his life in 1980 when he met his soon-to-be wife, Bobbi Baker-Hughes who was in the same industry. They blended their family to include Kathy Baker & Rob Baker to join Eric, Gil’s only child. They could certainly liven up the household with preteen antics! Twelve and a half years later, as the children grew into their own and as Gil & Bobbi’s relationship grew into a marriage that promised forever love…they created PACTCO their successful forklift parts business. They traveled the United States, as experts in their field and, with the support of their former employers, grew the business over the next 30 years.

Hundreds of thousands of miles were put on those old pickup trucks traveling the United States going places he had never been before and rediscovering old haunts and beautiful places that one must experience and share more than once.

And share he did! He shared stories of places he’d been, of places he wanted to go, and of things he had done and would yet do. He shared his experiences. His wisdom. His desires. His genealogy research.
And so much more!

He shared with his children, grandbabies & great-great grandbabies. He could talk and they were a captive audience!

Gil mentored & coached the Gladstone youth Green Bay Packer football team, and was a Boy Scout leader guiding his sons and other young men to become Life & Eagle Scouts and leaders of the next generation. A humble Hero for many…

And strangers. Although he never met a stranger! Everyone was Gil Hughes’s friend. Always there to help. To share. To encourage.

He recently told Bobbi “It’s time. It’s time. I have done all that I have been sent here to do.
I love you.”

And love us he did…all of us!

He’s gone on to prepare another lovely home for his wife & best friend of 44 years, his children
son, Eric Hughes grandbabies Zachary Hughes, (w. Makenzie), Zane Hughes & Zoe Adams, and daughter Kathy Prewitt, g-baby Stephen Steiner (w. Sabrina), great-grandbabies Binnie & Sonder, and g-baby Sierra Prewitt, (great-g-babies Cyrus & Ari) and g-baby Sean Prewitt (w. Sydney), great g-baby Ryder and son Rob Baker, (w. Santina), g-baby Alexa  Costanza (& Josh), great-g-babies Milania & Knox, plus g-baby Aly Baker (& Nick) and g-baby Kenzie Baker.

Gilbert joins his puppies, McTavish, Zeus, Ruby Rose, and Harley, and waits patiently for his best bud Blue to join the pack of his canine family.

Babies and puppies always made him smile…and a little bourbon!

We wish to thank our Visiting Angel, Lacee Gregg. She is a loving professional and a friend for life. A huge thank you to those of you who walked by our side and supported us during these times. All of those friends, family, work team, and community that helped us Celebrate his life by giving us time together…we cannot thank you enough.

Services:
July 20th, 2 p.m.
First Baptist Church
500 E Pawnee St
Savannah, MO.
Patriot Guard will lead the way to the Highland Cemetery after Sweets for the Sweet Reception.