Robert Franklin Hughes, Sr.

Robert ''Bob'' Franklin Hughes, Sr. (aka Air Force Pappy Hughes), a native of Greensboro R.D.1., Pennsylvania, and a resident of Mobile, Alabama, passed away Monday, April 18, 2022, at SAAD Hospice Facility in Mobile, Alabama. Bob was born March 13, 1927, in Springfield, Pennsylvania. At age 17, he entered the United States Navy and WWII in April 1944 where he served as a gunner on merchant marine ships and the U.S.S. Alaska. After the end of WWII, Bob left the Navy and entered the United States Army and served in communications. Bob was in the Army until 1956 and then entered the United States Air Force also as a communications supervisor during the Vietnam War. He retired from the Air Force in 1973 after proudly serving our country in the armed forces for 29 years. Bob's life was his love for his family, his dedication to his country and his military career, his love for bluegrass, and his passion for playing Santa Claus and seeing the smiles on his young admirers.

Bob was preceded in death by his son, Richard; his daughter, Pearl; grandchildren, Corey, Brandie, and Lil Man; great-granddaughter, Madison; and siblings, Leila Belec, Jane Tobin, and David Hughes.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sons, Fred (Doris), Bobby (Darlene), and Ronnie (Gerry); daughter, Pam (Michael); stepchildren, Diana, Steven, and Collin Kunkle; twenty-seven grandchildren, Jeff, Annette, Nannette, Tim, Robert, Bridget, Tammy, Ricky, Tommy, Ronnie, Brent, Rashanda, Nellie, Dorothy, Linda, Amber, Herb, Crystal, Stephanie, Ronnie, Harley, Alexis, Joe, Allen, Kimi, Billie, and Tony; fifty-nine greatgrandchildren; thirty-three great-greatgrandchildren; other relatives; and friends.

The family will receive friends from 10:30am until the 11:30am funeral service Thursday, April 28, 2022, at Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Adam Parker officiating. Burial will follow in Alabama State Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort.

Donations may be made to The Alabama State Veteran's Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 103, Montrose Historical District, Alabama 365559. Online condolences may be given at www.freemancitronelle.com. Freeman Funeral Home - Citronelle, Alabama