Charles Hughes' Obituary
The Rev. Charles Leonard Hughes died on January 2, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born on August 10, 1931 in Hope, Arkansas. At the age of nine, he professed his faith in Jesus Christ as his savior, and was baptized by immersion at the First Baptist Church in Hope. He graduated from Saratoga High School in 1949. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce, Texas, in 1953. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal music performance from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in 1958. He earned a Master of Church Music degree in vocal music performance from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1960.During the Korean War, he served his country in the United States Air Force, holding the rank of first lieutenant. He received training in radio engineering at Scott AFB in Illinois. In 1954, he was assigned to the island of Okinawa, Japan, where he was stationed for two years as a communications officer. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, and was honorably discharged in 1956. During his time in Japan, he began to feel a calling to serve the church in music ministry. In 1960 he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel for the Southern Baptist Convention. He held the title of Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Nashville, Arkansas; the First Baptist Church of Burleson, Texas; the First Baptist Church of Fordyce, Arkansas; the First Baptist Church of Searcy, Arkansas; and Memorial Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He began the Tulsa position in 1969 and served there until his retirement in 1995.Professional activities included work as a conductor, choral clinician, music teacher, handbell director, choral scholar, ensemble singer, and bass-baritone oratorio soloist. He served as a leader in musically-oriented mission activities throughout the United States and in several other countries including Brazil, Guatemala, Spain, Russia, and China. He was widely acclaimed for his expertise in music ministry, for his compassionate pastoral demeanor, and for his ability to resolve conflicts peacefully.In 1974, the Oklahoma Senate cited Rev. Hughes for having “made notable achievements in the field of sacred music.” In 1988, the Southern Baptist Convention recognized Rev. Hughes as its Outstanding Minister of Music, a national award presented by denominational leaders from all fifty states and the deans of six seminaries. He received similar accolades from the local association of Baptist music ministers, from the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, and from the Oklahoma House of Representatives.Rev. Hughes was preceeded in death by his parents Alta and Leonard Hughes, brothers Jack and Billy Hughes, sister Patricia Gathright, and daughter-in-law Paula Chavez. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norma Bray Hughes, son Charles Michael Hughes, grandson Charles David Hughes, and granddaughter Sara Terese Hughes.A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on January 11 at Floral Haven Chapel, 6500 S. 129th E. Ave, Broken Arrow
What’s your fondest memory of Charles?
What’s a lesson you learned from Charles?
Share a story where Charles' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Charles you’ll never forget.
How did Charles make you smile?