Phillip Leroy Hughes

Phillip LeRoy Hughes passed away after a life marked by faith, service, and devotion to his family. Born on June 11, 1938, and raised in Oxford, North Carolina, Phillip met his beloved wife, Janet Dickerson, while they were students together. High school sweethearts, they married in 1958 and shared a loving partnership that spanned nearly seven decades. Phillip enjoyed playing football in his younger years and remained a lifelong fan of athletics and competition.

Phillip graduated from North Carolina State University in 1960 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Through AFROTC, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and went on to serve as a navigator throughout a distinguished military career that included assignments in Virginia, Florida, Texas, Ohio and the Washington, D.C. area, as well as service during the Vietnam War. While stationed at Wright Patterson AFB, he received his Masters in Aerospace Engineering. Upon completion of his Masters degree, he provided development and leadership on numerous military engine programs, including the TF41 and the F110. He retired from the Air Force in 1981 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

After retiring from military service, Phillip and Janet settled in the Cincinnati area, where he spent nearly 20 years with General Electric Aircraft Engines in leadership roles for the F110 engine program powering the F-16 fighter for US and Allied forces.

Phillip was a gifted woodworker who built much of the furniture in his family home. In addition, he spent many hours assisting in the renovation of the foyer and sanctuary of Mt Carmel Baptist Church, where he faithfully attended and served as a deacon beginning in 1981. He was also an avid golfer and enjoyed playing with Janet, family and friends. Together, Phillip and Janet loved to travel, and family beach trips to the Carolina coast became treasured traditions.

Above all, Phillip loved his family. He and Janet created lasting memories through their beloved "Character Building" trips with their grandchildren, family vacations, and countless hours cheering on children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at soccer games, dance recitals,

sporting events, and other milestones. Our "Dedaddy" and "Poppy" enjoyed bringing history to life through cherished family slide shows where he shared photos and stories of his military service from around the world.

Phillip was the beloved husband of Janet for 67 years; loving father of Karen (Dan) Kelley and Michael (Jessica) Hughes. He was the cherished grandfather of Jeffrey (Meranda) Kelley, Amanda (DJ) Sherrill, Katherine (Max) Methling, Caroline (Garrett) Campbell, Carissa Hughes and Jenna Hughes, and the proud great grandfather of Justin, Marissa, Carson, Lindsay, Stella, Whitney, Everett and Cooper.

The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the staff of Magnolia Springs Loveland, who welcomed Phillip and Janet into their community and cared for them with kindness and compassion. We are also deeply grateful to Queen City Hospice for the exceptional care, compassion, and support during Phillip's final days. We are incredibly thankful to Casey, Maria, Carla, Ish, Melissa, Mariah, Andrea, Carol, and Kerrington. We have been so touched by all of the attention you gave him and our entire family.

A memorial service celebrating Phillip's exceptional life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Kenwood, Ohio . Friends and family may visit Saturday, August 1, from 9:30 until the time of the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Phillip's memory to Queen City Hospice, 4605 Duke Drive Suite 220, Mason, Ohio 45040 HERE or Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.

Though deeply missed, Phillip's family takes comfort in their faith and in the knowledge that he has been welcomed into the presence of his Savior.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."- Matthew 25:23