Robert Arthur Hughes

Robert “Bob” “Smiles” Hughes, age 87, passed away in his home in Fulton, MD on September 17, 2017.  He was born on November 2, 1929 in Laurel, MD to the late James Fredrick and Barbara Elizabeth Hughes.  He was a 1945 graduate of Laurel High School.  After serving in the US Army for 2 years, he pursued a career as a Sheet Metal Engineer, working the majority of his career at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab where he retired in 1991.

Bob was born and raised in Laurel and there was no piece of Laurel history that he did not know.  He was an active member of the Laurel Wreath Masons and served on the Finance and Building Committee of his church, First United Methodist Church.  In his spare time, he didn’t go anywhere without his tools, his golf clubs, a good/bad joke, tickets to cheer on the Baltimore Orioles (though he always wished we had pitchers) and his desire to share his singing voice with everyone.  If you were in need, Bob always found a way to help.

 Bob is survived by his loving wife, Ellen Hughes (O’Brien), and his children, Artie Hughes and his wife, Joelle, of Colorado; Stephen Hughes of Tennessee; Ray Cross and his wife, Jeanie, of Ellicott City; Catherine Cross of Hanover & Christina Cross of Odenton.  He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Noah, Cari, Renee, Sean & Caelah and his three great grandchildren, Tyler, Jacob & Danica.  He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters: George, Charles “Ed”, Bob’s twin brother Richard “Al”, Gertrude, Mary, and David “Frank”.

Family, friends and others whose lives were touched by Bob are invited to Donaldson Funeral Home at 313 Talbott Avenue in Laurel, Maryland on Friday, September 22nd from 2pm-4pm & 7pm-9pm.  There will be a Masonic celebration at 8pm.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 23rd at 11am at First United Methodist Church at 424 Main Street in Laurel, MD.  Burial will follow at St. Louis Church Cemetery at 6010 Ten Oaks Road in Clarksville, MD. Reception will take place at First United Methodist Church after burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or Gilchrist Hospice Care.

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