Heber Jennings (Herb) Hughes, Jr., age 84, of 3129 Forest Hill Avenue, Roanoke and formerly of Clifton Forge and Buena Vista, died Sunday, July 12, 2009 at Friendship Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Roanoke.

Born September 27, 1924 in Beach Glen, West Virginia, Herb was a son of the late Heber Jennings Hughes, Sr. and Pearl Pierson Hughes.

He served in the United States Army in the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II in the European Theatre, participating in the D-Day invasion.

He was a salesman for various business throughout his life and was most recently employed by Sam's Wholesale Club.

He was a former member of the Clifton Forge Jaycees, where he was 1957 Man of the Year, was a former member and captain of the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, was a founding member and former captain of the Buena Vista Rescue Squad, was a former historian for the State of Virginia Rescue Squad, and was a member of the American Legion in Buena Vista.

He attended Wildhurst Presbyterian Church in Roanoke.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Hughes and Bob Hughes, and two sisters, Edyth Gray and Willie Nutter.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Mable Catherine Gray Hughes of Roanoke; two daughters, Judy Underwood and husband, Ronnie of Clifton Forge and Janet Cash of Roanoke; three sisters, Dixie Johnson and Annabelle Kizer, both of West Virginia, and Theora Strohacker of South Carolina; three grandchildren, "Binky" Underwood of Keezletown, Robbie Weikle of Montvale, and R. W. Underwood of Cary, NC; four great grandchildren, and a number of nephews and nieces, great nephews and great nieces, including special great niece, Toni Stinnett of Roanoke.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 17, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in Wildhurst Presbyterian Church, Roanoke with Reverend William Harris officiating.

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to your charity or organization of choice in Herb's name.

Oakey's North Chapel, Roanoke is in charge of arrangements.