Harlan Lee Hughes, 94 of Sapulpa, OK passed peacefully on December 27, 2024, surrounded by his wife of 68 years and family. He was born December 4, 1930, to Willie Ray and Mildred Harrison Hughes in Scranton, AR. He was the oldest of 12 children. Harlan attended through the eighth grade at Scranton schools and lived in the Sapulpa area most of his life. He met the love of his life in 1955 and on November 9, 1956, he married, Frances Lorraine Padgett who lovingly, along with his children faithfully cared for him the last few months.

Our dad was the love of our mother's life, a loving dad, grandpa, and pop-pop. He was a faithful member of Kellyville Holiness Church and contributed in the building of the current facility.  He started serving the Lord in 1958, when he gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ. He helped with several missions in Mexico and made one mission trip to Panama.

He started working as a young country boy plowing behind a team of mules to help his dad feed their growing family. The military came calling and dad joined the US Air Force in Nov 24, 1950, and served until Nov 24, 1954. The last half of his tour he was stationed at Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington. He was a gunner behind the left wing of the B29 & B36's and had trained to fly missions over Korea. When he learned, another airman had asked to return to Japan in his place, it was approved. Thereafter, he was placed on a crew that did recognizance and mapping missions over Alaska & Northern Canada. Truly this was the hand of God for we regret these men never returned from their first mission. In 1954, his commander tried very hard to get him to rejoin and train to fly into hurricanes for weather data. Instead, he came to Tulsa, got married, started a family, and took a job with Douglas Aircraft. Next, he and Robert Yocham (Hughes & Yocham, Inc.) began building custom homes and remodeling jobs in the Creek County area.  Later, he formed H.L. Hughes Construction and continued until finally retiring in his 80's. The Lord has greatly blessed our dad and family.

Harlan leaves behind a wife of 68 years, Frances Hughes; their children: Cheryl Elaine Hughes; David (Sherry Million) Hughes; Delbert Hughes; Joy (Tim) Spurlock. Four grandchildren: Natasha (Michael) Bruton; Stephanie (Brian)Burton; Lucas (Cheyanne Hixon) Hughes; Stacy (Anthony)Hamilton; and Emma Grace Neal. Four great grandchildren: Samuel Bruton; Joseph and Jacob Burton; and Harlan Ray Hughes. Sisters: Jane Shorter, Marron Hughes, Sue Johnston (Roger), and Betty Brown (Ricky). Brothers: Billy Hughes (Mary), James Hughes; many cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as a host of family and friends.

Harlan was preceded in death by his parents and siblings (Frances Hughes, Daisy Judd, Armenda Roberts, Garland and Glenda Hughes).

His passing will leave a huge void in our family. We would like to give thanks to our Pastor's Jon and Tamara Brock and Compassus Hospice (Dusty, Amanda, Crystal, LaSandra and others) for their exceptional care of Dad in his final days and for assisting our family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to missions in Harlan's honor at Kellyville Holiness Church, PO Box 310, Kellyville, OK 74039.

Visitation will from 6-8pm, Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Kellyville Holiness Church, 728 S. Main, Kellyville, Oklahoma. Services will be 1pm, Friday, January 3, 2025, also at the Kellyville Holiness Church in Kellyville, Oklahoma with burial to follow at Kellyville City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Traditions Funeral Home, 35 S. Main, Kellyville, OK, 918-247-7373 .