Douglas Hughes

Douglas E. Hughes, 57, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Douglas was born in Atlantic, Iowa on December 6, 1960, the oldest of three children born to Philip C. and Myrtle J. (Linfor) Hughes. He was forever “The Big Brother” as little sister Laura arrived fourteen months later and then baby brother Jerry Dean three years after that. The Hughes kids grew up in the “Bucktown” area of Atlantic on West First Street. Life was simple and summer evenings were spent playing baseball in the backyard, riding bicycles, or playing “Red Light-Green Light,” “Simon Says,” or “Red Rover” in the front yard. As a youth, Doug was a Cub Scout, a member of his church’s bible quiz team, and an Omaha World Herald delivery boy. He walked his paper route faithfully every morning at 6:00 AM. He attended Jackson Elementary School and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1979. Doug went to work for the Atlantic Bottling Company in December of 1981 and was a faithful employee for 36 years.

Douglas was a member of the Optimist Club, a past member of the Church of the Nazarene, a faithful blood donor (donating over 100 units of blood), and a current member of the First Church of Christ in Atlantic. He taught Sunday school, was actively involved in children’s ministry, and was passionate about passing on the message of God’s great love and plan of salvation for each of us to the youth he came into contact with. Douglas counted as his greatest joy, the birth of his niece and nephews, Austin, Taylor, and Jenna. He had many special memories of attending their sporting, church, and musical events as they grew up. He was very proud of the wonderful young adults they had become.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Philip C. and Myrtle J. Hughes; a brother, Jerry Dean Hughes; his maternal and paternal grandparents, Joseph and Mary Ella Linfor, and Fred and Bertha Hughes; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Douglas is survived by his sister, Laura (Dennie) Karas of Massena, IA; two nephews, Austin (Brooke) Karas and their children, Aubrey, Aaron and Aiden of Massena, IA, and Taylor (Amy) Karas of Webster City, IA; a niece, Jenna Karas of Knoxville, IA; two uncles, Rick (Kathy) Linfor of Atlantic, IA, and Joseph Linfor of Greeley, CO; an aunt, Lois Schmitt of Atlantic; and many beloved cousins.

Visitation with family will be held at the First Church of Christ in Atlantic on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., with a funeral service starting at 2:30 p.m.

Memorials may be left to the family’s wishes.