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Roy Abercrombie (Abbie) HughesBetter known as Roy Abbie Hughes to all of his friends, he was a true B.O.I.
Abbie was born to Margaret Katheryn and Aaron Lee Hughes on March 16, 1933, and met his Creator on October 18, 2021. He attended Goliad Elementary, Lovenberg Jr. High and Ball High School, located in downtown Galveston and graduated June 1951 at 18 years of age. In the summer of 1953, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he spent two years of active duty.
Abbie moved in with his uncle, Harry Kirchner, in 1947 where he lived until he married in 1957. Harry was a highly skilled house carpenter and cabinet maker for over 60 years in Galveston. It was at this time that Harry started training Abbie to follow in his footsteps. On Saturday mornings while still in high school Abbie would work small jobs with Uncle Harry around town. This was considered as serving a carpenter apprenticeship. During the summer months of 1948, 49, 50, and 51, Abbie worked at Play Ground Beach on 8th and 9th Streets renting rubber floats, chairs and umbrellas and then at Thanksgiving and Christmas of those same years, he worked for his aunt, Margie Abercrombie, at Eibands Store, as a stock boy and also, gift wrapper.
Upon graduating from high school his life was about to undergo a big change. He was 18 years of age and classified by the local draft board as eligible. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in early 1953 to serve 24 months state side. After his return from active duty, Abbie returned home and continued to live with Uncle Harry. He went to work as a Lab. Tech. at Monsanto Chemical Company at the Texas City plant. Rising to the level of Tech. Assistant he worked 30 years with the company. In addition, Abbie had several patents to his name while working for Monsanto.
In April of 1957 he married the former Nina Beth McCleese of Galveston. They moved into a house on Wimcrest Drive that Uncle Harry helped him build. His marriage to Nina Beth produced two wonderful children, Susan Lynne, and Randall Steven. Both of their children attended Galveston Public Schools and Texas public colleges. Susan Lynne attended Sam Houston State University and became a band director for over 30 years in the public school system. Randall Steven attended Texas A & M University and UTMB in Galveston and is a practicing Oncologist in the Dallas area.
Abbie’s Masonic career started in Harmony Lodge, No. 6 in 1956 and continued until his death. He served as Worshipful Master in 1977 and District Deputy in 1992. He was truly an active Mason all these years. His career in the Galveston Scottish Bodies started in 1962 and he was an active member until his death. In addition, he was the Stage Director for 50 years. During this time in the Scottish Rite bodies, he excelled in each level and reached the highest point, that of a 33rd Degree Mason. He joined El Mina Shrine Temple in 1962.
He served as General Chairman of the Annual Benefit Balls in 1974 and 1978, which were held at the Moody Center at 21st and Seawall Blvd. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Entertainment Committee and as a member of the Board of Trustees. He remained an active member in El Mina Shrine Temple until 2008. He was a member of DeMolay while in high school, serving as Master Councilor in 1950. In 2012 he received a 60 year Member Plaque from DeMolay. To round out his career he served on the Board of Assembly No. 9 Order of Rainbow for Girls.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Chester Hughes and his wife Barbara of Santa Fe, and Charles Hughes; uncle, Harry Kirchner; aunt, Margie Abercombie (all of Galveston); brother-in-law, Samuel S. McCleese (Patricia) of Sherman; and niece Candy Hughes of Missouri.
He is survived by his wife Nina Beth Hughes; children: Randall Steven Hughes (Heather) of Dallas and Susan Lynne Springer of Galveston; Grandchildren: Harry and Grace Hughes of Dallas, and Lauren Springer Battley (Josh) of Dallas; and sister Margaret Sherman of Fort Bend County. Abbie is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021 at J. Levy & Termini Funeral Home at 12 noon, with a Funeral service following at 1:00 P.M., with Chaplain Richard Gray officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, where the Harmony Masonic Lodge, No. 6 will conduct a Masonic Burial.
Pallbearers will be members of Harmony Lodge No. 6 and The Galveston Valley Scottish Rite.
The Hughes family would like to thank the UTMB Care Team for their kindness and compassion during his stay in Jennie Sealy Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shriners Children Texas, 815 Market Street, Galveston, Texas 77550.
The family is requesting that face masks be worn at all times during the visitation and service.
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