LeRoy Hughes - Obituary

eRoy D. Hughes, 57 of Clinton, MD entered into his peaceful rest on Monday, April 13, 2009. He was born March 7, 1952, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the son of Agnes Brown Hughes (deceased), Walter Hughes (deceased) and James Arthur Sims (deceased). His early raising was on Third Street in Steelton, Pennsylvania while he was “one” of the three musketeers and his cousins Butch (Donald Franklin) and Yvonne Franklin mischievously played tricks on Aunt Alice and picked on each other. As a lover of sports from his elementary school years to his professional sports career you would find many of the coaches and team players huddled at his mother's kitchen table at 4028 Victoria Avenue, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania engulfing a soul food dinner as she edged them on to play their butts off for the victory she expected. LeRoy's favorite coach William (Bill) Herrigan loved her coaching strategy of baking him a “sweet potatoe pie”. He was a mentor and encourager to his younger brother Walter who also engaged in a sports career. LeRoy was an entertainer in his own right and when having fun you could find him and the “soul patrol”, the local singing and dancing group of the Hughes's, working on their routine in his mother's living room for the in house show laughing and stepping on each other toes. LeRoy met the love of his life “Barbie” and they were joined in holy matrimony on September 7, 1991. Their union of 18 ½ years blessed them with two daughters, Lauren Ashley and Simone Nicole. He had such a special love for her parents George and June Chalou and their children because they were so generous with their love towards him. He attended the Southside Elementary School, Central Dauphin East Jr. High School, and graduated in 1970 from Central Dauphin High School. He attended the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland on a football scholarship. He loved to play sports football, basketball and track and had earned (9) letters, placed in PA Intercollegiate Athletic Association(PIAA) State Track finals in long and triple jumps, played in the Big 33 and was awarded school's Outstanding Athlete of the Year. After graduating he had tryouts with Pittsburg Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies. He had started as a freshman and earned (4) varsity letters. As a senior, he received honorable mention as an All-American defensive end and was awarded the All ACC Defensive end and received as well the A.V. Williams Athletic Achievement Award from the University of Maryland. He spent time with the New York Jets and played for British Columbia Canadian Football League and was later drafted by Kansas City Chiefs. On April 22, 2007 he was inducted into the Capital Area Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He worked for years for the State of Maryland and later transferred to the Charles County Educational system. He was a consultant in Crisis Management serving private companies and hospitals. His passion was “Family”, as a husband and father he was protective over Barbie, Lauren and Simone, they were his heart's desire and in his eyes there was no greater love. He adored his duties toting his babies to the babysitter, school, church, family outings, the spa, and vacations and was their biggest coach and cheerleader at the soccer games. Lauren and Simone adored their dad and they were the sparkle in his eyes. One of his favorite vacation spots was at the beach in Nags Head, NC with his in laws. They would pack up the nieces and nephews and go on their excursion. They would spend two weeks with family, have fun, and soak in the hot sun. This vacation was noted for the famous "Beach Breakfast" where anything and everything was the spread. As a brother, he always had a concern about what was going on but always left you with a reassuring hug that everything is ok. As an uncle, he was watching from afar and poking fun with everyone there wasn't anything that got by him. As a nephew, you would find him hanging out with his favorite"uncle" Lou Sims. He was the perfect host and chef; he looked forward to having family over the Thanksgiving dinners, summer cook outs and gatherings. His co-workers always planned having their Christmas parties at his home. Outside family events you could find him working out, listening to music, watching a game or hanging out smoking a cigar. LeRoy had a special gift of reaching out and drawing people in making them his friend. His strength, guidance and love are already missed by all. LeRoy is survived by Barbara C. Hughes, his loving wife, Lauren Ashley and Simone Nicole, his daughters; Wanda H. Pritchett, Darlene H. Miller, Rhoda Sims, Walter Hughes, Jr., James Chatman of Harrisburg, PA, Florinda Morgan of Winston Salem, NC, brothers and sisters, Alice Sims grandmother, George and June Chalou of Falls Church, VA, mother and father in law, Lisa and Peter Heimlicher, Brian Chalou and Tonya and Allan Beres of MD and VA, brother and sister in laws, Alice B. Franklin of Steelton, PA and Lou and Erma Sims of Washington DC, significant aunts and uncle and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the LeRoy Hughes Memorial Education Trust for Lauren and Simone in care of Lisa C. Heimlicher, Esquire, 14280 Triadelphia Mill Road, Dayton, MD 21036.