Erwin Maurice Hughes

Erwin Maurice Hughes of Hobbs, New Mexico passed away on August 1, 2022 at the age of 99.

He was born on April 7, 1923 to Byron Franklin Hughes and Pearl Russell Hughes in Vera, Texas.  His family moved to Eunice, New Mexico in 1929 during the oil boom.  He attended Eunice Public Schools until his graduation in 1941.  Upon graduation he enrolled at New Mexico A&M, now New Mexico State University.

Maurice joined the Army in 1943.  Upon completion of basic training, he became a cadre member with the rank of Buck Sergeant.  He was assigned to Company A, 147th Infantry, 1st Battalion.  He served in the South Pacific in Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa during World War II.   His infantry unit performed all the duties of capturing enemy soldiers that were missing during the initial invasion at Iwo Jima.  He received the rank of Tech Sergeant there. 

After his discharge from the military in 1946, Hughes returned to Eunice and later married Evelyn Lehr in August 1948.  The couple moved to Dimmitt, Texas for a couple of years before returning to the family farm in Vera, Texas.  Maurice continued his college studies at Midwestern University and two children were born during these years, including a daughter, Challa and a son, Byron.  He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1952 at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas. 

Maurice began his teaching career in 1953 at Vera, Texas, received his Master’s Degree in 1956 and was hired as the principal and coach at Rhineland, Texas.  In 1961, he returned to Eunice, New Mexico to teach and later become the elementary principal and then Superintendent of Schools for twelve years.  He retired in 1985 and after a few years became the County commissioner for Lea County, New Mexico, serving eight years in that position. 

Maurice was the 1985 Eunice Citizen of the Year, a longtime member of the Eunice Lions Club, American Legion, First Baptist Church and Lea County Silver Concho Honoree in 2004. 

He is survived by a daughter, Challa and son-in-law John Goedeke of Lubbock, Texas, first cousins Karen Carter from Seymour, Texas and Jerry Russell of Tulsa, Oklahoma along with many other relatives. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Evelyn in 2005 and his son, Byron “Barney” Hughes in 2012.  

The family of Maurice Hughes sincerely thank the employees of Desert Gardens Assisted Living Center for their help and special thanks to Ricky and Joyce Hatley for always being there for Maurice with their extraordinary care and friendship.

A graveside service under the direction of Calvary Funeral Home will be held on Friday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m. at the Brunson Cemetery in Eunice, New Mexico.

In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity or organization of your choice.