Malcolm Alvin Hughes was ushered into the presence of Jesus at 7:52 a.m. on July 6, 2021, at the age of 88.
A devoted follower of Jesus, he was a loving husband to Barbara Hughes for 57 years, and they had four daughters, 35 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Malcolm was born in Los Angeles, CA, on March 15, 1933, to Benjamin F. and Amy M. Hughes, and had one older brother, Eldon Hughes, who preceded him in death.
For 29 years, he served as postmaster in several Iowa communities (Holmes, Thor, Hedrick, and Albia).
Mal grew up on an almond and tomato orchard in Los Angeles. He attended Beverly Hills High School, where he played brass and ran track, excelling in the sprint and earning a scholarship. He attended Arizona State University, Westmont College, and Pasadena Christian College. He served in the honor guard in Tokyo in 1954-1955. He subsequently worked at Librascope in the early days of computers. Additionally, he served as a night supervisor at a boys’ correctional facility, and also as a machinist.
Along with his wife, he served two and a half years in Bolivia with Wycliffe Bible Translators, using his mechanical abilities in a support role.
His volunteer service through the years included serving as an elder at Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa, Iowa, serving in the Gideons, and in the Lion’s Club and Rotary Club in Albia, Iowa. In earlier years he served in a care center ministry, lead Boys’ Brigade, served with The Navigators, and for a summer in Maui, Hawaii, helped build a church. His hobbies included farming, building and remodeling, car mechanics, traveling, and singing.
His character was marked by servanthood, graciousness, and generosity in every realm of his life, rooted in his faithful love for Jesus Christ as his redeemer.
He leaves behind his wife, Barbara Joan Stroup Hughes, daughters Ruth (and husband Barry Nelson), Valori Morrison-Liu (preceded in death by husband Bruce Morrison), Pamala (and husband Todd Price), and Kim (and husband Dan Sharp).
His grandchildren are Naomi (married to Ben Sahlstrom, with four children),
Josiah Nelson, Caleb Nelson (and wife Miranda), Anna (married to Luke Sahlstrom), Noah Nelson (and wife Clara), Grace Nelson, Isaiah Nelson, Lydia Nelson, and Hope Nelson; Hannah Morrison, Victoria Morrison, Esther (and husband Jake Wheeler, with two children), Loice Morrison, Mary Morrison, Charity Morrison, Melody Liu, Priscilla Liu, Ethan Liu, Gloria Liu, and Jathan Liu; Timothy Price, Jonathan Price, Elizabeth (and husband Stephen Sell), Matthew Price, Kirsten Price, Daniel Price, and Ariela Price; Ana (and husband Tedd Williamson), Joy Sharp, Mark Sharp, Joel Sharp, Ben Sharp, Titus Sharp, Sara Sharp, and Micah Sharp.
He is survived by Susie Hughes Sellai and Bill Hughes.
Visitation will be Friday, July 9, 2021, 4-5 pm, with funeral at 5 pm at DeBerry Funeral Home, 2025 W. University Dr., Denton, TX 76201.
Burial with full military honors will be Friday, August 13, 2021, 1:30-1:45 pm at Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211, with a memorial remembrance time following at a location TBD.