Jack B. Hughes

Jack B. Hughes, Jr., age 74, of Ocean Springs passed away peacefully on Monday, March 5, 2018 surrounded by his loving family and friends. Jack graduated from OSHS (class of 1962) where he was a star athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He then attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perk on a basketball scholarship and completed his teaching degree at University of Southern Mississippi. Jack returned to his alma mater to begin his coaching and teaching career of 30 years. His legacy is best known for starting the girl's softball program. The old saying is "if we build it, they will come" And boy did they. Jack compiled a 337-79 record consisting of 7 district championships and a state championship. The lives he touched on and off the field will never be forgotten. As a token of Jack's success as an educator and coach, the new Ocean Springs High School softball facility was named the Jack B. Hughes Field. A proclamation was declared naming March 17th Jack Hughes Day by the city of Ocean Springs. Also, in 2018 Jack Hughes will be inducted into the Ocean Springs Sports Hall of Fame. Sports was a great part of his life and he was a diehard fan for Southern Miss and New Orleans Saints. Since retiring, Jack and his wife Carlotta who was the love of his life and high school sweetheart for 54 years, have enjoyed traveling. One of Jack's highlights was his famous fish fry's on weekends with his children and grandchildren. Jack's passion outside of his family was fishing. He spent many hours in the gulf of mexico chasing those famous speckle trout. As all his friends would say, " I would put Jack Hughes up against any fisherman on the coast". He met every Wednesday with his weekly lunch buddies at coast eateries enjoying fellowship and reminiscing on stories from years passed. Jack had the patience of a saint and never hesitated to help someone in a time of need. He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack B. Hughes, Sr and Irma Hughes King and his sister Barbara Ann Lundy. Jack is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carlotta, his children Kiley (Kellie), Carla (Rob), and Rod (Julie); and his grandchildren Haleigh (Nick), Jackson, Chase, Layton, Kale, Drake and Quinn. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 8, from 10am until 11:30am, with an 11:30 am chapel service, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in his memory.