Roger Dale Hughes

Roger Dale Hughes of Albany, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026 with his family by his side. He was born on April 16, 1956, in Nashville, Tennessee, to James Leonard Hughes and Nellie Mae Stokes Hughes. Roger was the best mechanic, chef, boilermaker, welder, and true jack-of-all-trades, though he always joked that he was “a master of none.” To those who knew and loved him, we all beg to differ. His skills, knowledge, and work ethic were unmatched. Yet beyond his many talents, his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. Roger was also an avid LSU Tigers fan. Whether he was cheering on the Tigers on game day or proudly wearing the purple and gold, his love for LSU was a part of who he was and something everyone who knew him will always remember. Roger was the very definition of a family man. An incredible husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Poppie, and sweetie-sweetie, he filled every role with unwavering love, devotion, and pride. To say he loved his family would be an understatement. He lived for them, supported them, and cherished every moment spent together. His heart was bigger than life itself, and his generosity knew no bounds. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Leonard Hughes and Nellie Mae Stokes Hughes; his sisters, Marjorie Allen and Donna Jean Downing; and his brothers, James “Jimmy” Wilburn Hughes and William Lester Hughes. He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Brenda Hughes, with whom he shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and partnership. He also leaves behind his children: Sherry Hughes (Larry), Crystal Stewart (Bo), Tabitha Hughes (Jason), Brittany Ford (Austin), Whitney Hughes, and his one and only son, Roger Hughes II (Brittany). Roger’s legacy continues through his beloved grandchildren: Zachary Blackwell (Annelle), Mallory Smith (JT), Samantha Berst (Chandler), Karley Harvin (Tanner), Alexis Conner (Tristan), Xander Bartnesky, Cayden Ford, Jayse Ford, Cohen Ford, Brayden Hughes, Gracie Hughes, Kymren Zeigler (Corey), Kyrsten Pecoraro, and Clayton Pecoraro. His joy multiplied with the arrival of his cherished great-grandchildren: Avereigh Whiddon, Hadlyn Whiddon, Rhylee Whiddon, Grant Whiddon, Henry Berst, Ella Berst, Matthew Conner, Emma Harvin, Claire Blackwell, and Layna Zeigler. Roger also leaves behind two very special nephews, Johnny Downing (Jan) and Tim Downing (Nikki), who may have been his nephews by relation, but were sons in his heart. He loved them as his own, and the bond he shared with them was something he treasured throughout his life. Serving as pallbearers will be his son, Roger Hughes II, Zach Blackwell, Larry Pecoraro, Bo Stewart, Austin Ford, JT Whiddon, Tanner Harvin, Chandler Berst, and Xander Bartnesky. Honorary pallbearers will be Brayden Hughes, Cayden Ford, Jayse Ford, Cohen Ford, Henry Berst, Grant Whiddon, and Matthew Conner. Roger will be remembered for his quick wit, his hard-working hands, his generous spirit, and above all, the immeasurable love he poured into his family. His presence was a blessing, his life was a gift, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Though he may be gone from our sight, he will never be gone from our hearts. A Special Thank You The Hughes family would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of Baton Rouge for the compassion, dignity, and loving care given to our dad during his final days. We would especially like to recognize Rhiannon “Rhi” Strong, LPN; Katerra “Kat” Cooper, RN; Mary Perkins, CNA; and Stacey Howard, LPN. Your kindness, gentle care, comforting words, and compassion meant more to our family than we could ever adequately express. You did more than care for our dad, you helped carry our family through one of the most difficult moments of our lives while allowing us to simply be his family. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking such wonderful care of our dad.

Tributes

Roger Dale Hughes

April 16, 1956 - August 13, 2026