Charles William Hughes Jr.

Charles William “Big Red” Hughes, Jr.

May 6, 2025

Charles William “Big Red” Hughes, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Newport, North Carolina, on May 6, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Charles was a man who deeply cherished his family and lived his life with purpose and integrity.

Charles proudly served with the Kinston City Fire Department from 1967 to 1987, rising to the rank of Captain of the No. 1 Fire Station. Following his retirement, he brought joy to many as the manager of Perky’s Pizza and the game room at Goose Creek Resort, where he was affectionately known by children as “Pawpaw.”

A passionate outdoorsman, Charles found great joy in fishing and hunting alongside his sons and grandsons. He was also a founding member of the Cayton Hunting Club, where he built lifelong friendships rooted in a shared love of the outdoors.

Faith played a central role in Charles’s life. He served faithfully as a deacon at both Grifton Baptist Church and Broad Creek Baptist Church in Newport, N.C., embodying a spirit of service and compassion.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles William Hughes, Sr., and Helen Christine Millard Hughes; his sister, Judi Hughes; his brother, Stevie Ronald Hughes; and his granddaughter, Chelsea Grafton.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judy T. Hughes; his sons, Charles William Hughes III (Wanda) of Kinston, and Anthony “Tony” Hughes (Leigh) of La Grange; his daughter, Stacy Gutierrez Harrell of Newport; and his sister, Janice Ellen Hughes Ham of Lake Wylie, S.C. He also leaves behind grandchildren Amber Hughes, Tara Brooke Hughes, Jackson Hughes, Riley Hughes, and Zac Grafton, and great-grandchildren Jayda Penelope Grafton and Asher Tate Rhodes.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M Friday May 9,2025 at Howard-Carter Funeral Home. A funeral service honoring Charles’s life will be held following the visitation. He will be laid to rest at Westview Cemetery in Kinston.

Charles’s legacy of love, service, and strength lives on in all who knew him.