Owain Hughes,

Lt. Col. Owain J. Hughes, Jr., USAF Retired, Sherwood, Arkansas, died Tuesday, September 16, 2008, from complications of a fall suffered at his home. Hughes was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, March 14, 1925, the son of Marjorie Blair Hughes and Col. Owain John Hughes. He is survived by his wife, Mary Barager Hughes, Sherwood; his sister, Barbara Hughes Rice, Sparta, Wisconsin; and his nieces and nephews, Catherine Rice, New York, New York, Elizabeth Janzen, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, John P. Rice, Elko, Nevada, Robert O. Rice, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Thomas B. Rice, Cortez, Colorado. A 1943 graduate of Eau Claire High School, Hughes attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute before enlisting in the then U.S. Air Corp in 1944. As a Rader Navigator he participated in the Air Offensive of Europe Rhineland and Central Europe. He was relieved from active duty in 1947 and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1951. Hughes was recalled to active duty in the Air force in 1951. His last assignment was as Missile Staff Officer, 308 Missile Maintenance Squadron (SAC) at Little Rock Air Force Base, Jacksonville, Arkansas. He retired in 1969. Hughes was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service with the 410 Bombardment Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group, 3rd Bombardment Division. Other awards include the Air Offensive Europe Rhineland Central Europe Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Air Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Army Occupation Medal and the American Campaign Medal. Hughes was an active member of the community. He was Past President and Executive Secretary of the North Pulaski Chamber of Commerce. He served as a member of the Indianhead Lake Property Association Board. He was elected to the Sherwood City Council, serving from 1990-1992. During his tenure, as a member of the Metro Plan Transportation Advisory Committee, he was instrumental in obtaining a grant for the community?s pedestrian bridge. Hughes gave many years of volunteer service at Little Rock AFB Hospital and Pharmacy. In 1989 he was named Volunteer of the Year by the United States Air Force Retiree Activities Office. He was a Life Member of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, a Charter and Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America and a Life Member of the Retired Officers Association. He will be missed by his many neighbors and friends. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 26, at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main, 758-1170, followed by interment with full military honors at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Memorials may be made to one?s charity of choice. Online obituary and guest register at www.nlrfh.com.

Owain Hughes,

March 14, 1925 - September 16, 2008