John Franklin Hughes, Sr., 86, of Crossville, TN, passed away on May 18, 2022, at Cumberland Medical Center. John was born October 1, 1935, in Graysville, TN, to Ralph Walter Hughes and Jimmie Ruth (Green) Hughes.

John graduated from McArthur High School in McArthur, OH in 1954. He proudly served in both the US Army and US Air Force and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant / First Sergeant from the Air Force after 23 years of service, with most of that time being assigned to the Strategic Air Command. During his service, he was deployed to multiple countries, including two tours in Vietnam. He then attended Crossville Technical School where he received training in HVAC. He and his wife, Bernice, had a successful HVAC business and appliance store in Dayton and Graysville, TN for over 20 years. Following retirement, John was elected Graysville City Councilman for several terms.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Crossville. When unable to attend, he continued worshiping through religious media. He loved to fish, play horseshoes, play darts, and was an avid reader, and avid collector.

He is preceded in death by his wife Bernice Jean (Garrison) Hughes, both parents, daughter Jackie Sue Keel, son Donald Keith Looper, twin sister Jo Ann Roberts, sister Mary Jane Strickland and brother James R. Hughes.

He is survived by his children John (Linda) Hughes, Jr. of Cartersville, GA; Mary (Michael) Bolin of Crossville, TN; Ruby (Steve) Hobbs of Seneca, SC; Theresa (Johnny) Ray of Crossville, TN; Kim (Eric) Shaver of Crossville, TN; sisters Kitty Bawtenheimer of Cincinnati, OH, and Jacqueline Carr of Dayton, TN; 14 Grandchildren and several Great-Grandchildren; son-in-law, Tim Keel of Graysville, TN; and daughter-in-law, Darlene Looper of Spring City, TN.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 6:00 PM at the Chapel at Bilbrey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 PM prior to the service. Burial will take place on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at 11:00 EST at Pleasant View Cemetery in Dayton, TN.