David Ezekiel Hughes

David Ezekiel Hughes, known as David to his friends and family, kept his sense of humor up until his curtain call on April 18, 2023. David, born in North Carolina on April 28, 1963, decided to head backstage just shy of his 60th birthday. The world lost a loving, intelligent, and funny man, but Heaven just got a lot more interesting.

David's fascination with cars came early. By the time he was old enough to walk, he was already tinkering with toy cars and dreaming of one day becoming a mechanic. His parents, Ezekiel and Daisy Christine Hughes, realized that his love for anything with wheels was more than just a hobby – it was a passion for life. And so, following in his father's footsteps, David quickly became an accomplished electrician and a skilled mechanic.

His love for cars was only matched by his love for whiskey, cigars, and helping people. David was known for his infectious laughter and his ability to light up a room – sometimes literally, as his early experiments with electricity sometimes led to small fires (fortunately, he got better at that). He had a special talent for turning a frown upside down, even if it meant embarrassing himself in the process.

David's family members knew that when they needed a good laugh or a shoulder to cry on, he was the person to turn to. He leaves behind his son Patrick Hughes (Tracy), daughter Stephanie Hughes, and son Bryan Hughes, who all inherited his sense of humor and love for life. David was a devoted husband to his late wife, Patsy Lilian Hughes, who passed away before him.

David's biggest joy in life was being a "papa" to his seven grandchildren, who were the apples of his eye. He loved spoiling them, teaching them about cars. David's legacy of laughter and love will live on in the hearts of his grandchildren, as well as his many nieces and nephews, who were all drawn to his magnetic personality.

It's hard to put into words what David meant to the people who knew him – but if there's one thing that can be said, it's that he made a lasting impression. He had an uncanny ability to make anyone feel like they were the most important person in the room, and he could find a silver lining in any situation. Some might say that David was like a fine whiskey – smooth, full of character, and one-of-a-kind.

In the spirit of celebrating David's life, his family asks that you raise a glass of whiskey (or your preferred beverage) in his honor, share a funny story about him, and keep his laughter alive in your heart. With each toast, let's remember the man who could find humor in even the darkest of times and strive to carry on his legacy of laughter and love.

Rest in peace, David. Heaven has gained a true comedian, and we can only imagine the laughter echoing through the clouds. Your light will continue to shine as bright as the sparks that flew from your electrician's tools, and your memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved you. Cheers, David – you will be missed.