SAN ANTONIO FORMERLY OF HENDERSON — Sammy Charles Hughes, 84, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025. He was born on July 9, 1941, in Pittsburgh, Texas, to the late C.L. and Martha (Hobbs) Hughes. In 1947, his father accepted a position with Exxon, and the family relocated to Baytown, Texas, where Sammy later graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1959. Shortly after graduation, Sammy began his career with Gulf Oil Corporation while simultaneously pursuing a degree in business and finance at the University of Houston. In 1963, he enlisted in the Texas Air National Guard, answering the call to serve his state and country. His military service reflected the same sense of duty, responsibility, perseverance, and integrity that guided every aspect of his life. During his tenure at Gulf, Sammy met and fell in love with Judith Johnson. Two years later, they were married on September 24, 1966, beginning a marriage rooted in love, faith, devotion, and unwavering commitment that spanned 59 years. Sammy was a loving husband and devoted father to his two children, Kelli Nicole and Nicholas Brannon. Sammy dedicated more than three decades to a distinguished career in finance with Gulf Oil Corporation and later Chevron U.S.A. He was widely respected for his professionalism, expertise, and reliability, as well as his keen acumen for negotiating complex business deals. Following his retirement from Chevron, Sammy and Judy entered a new chapter together in 1996, when they opened and operated B.J. Taylor & Co. in downtown Henderson, Texas. Working side by side, they proudly served the community for 20 years, reflecting Sammy’s entrepreneurial spirit and his enjoyment of building something meaningful alongside his wife. Sammy was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for over 20 years, where he valued fellowship, faith, and service. He served on several church committees, including Hospitality, Decorating, and Volunteer Christian Builders, and he especially enjoyed participating in church building trips with the youth group. Sammy had a deep love for the outdoors and life’s simple pleasures. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, water skiing, traveling, music, dancing, and sports. In retirement, he spent his later years in Austin and San Antonio, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Judith Johnson Hughes; his daughter, Kelli,and her husband, Lawrence Carranco, of San Antonio; his son, Nicholas, and his wife, Jennifer (Bowen), of Austin; his granddaughters, Katelyn Nicole Wadley of Austin, and Kylie Elizabeth Wadley of Dallas; his grandson, Henry Charles Hughes of Austin; his niece, Karen Henderson of Florida; and his nephews, Chuck Lindsey and Mike Lindsey of Houston. A graveside memorial service will be held at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, December 20, 2025, with Dr. David Higgs officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM on Friday, December 19, at the funeral home. Sammy Charles Hughes will be remembered as a man of quiet integrity—a dedicated husband, loving father, proud veteran, hardworking professional, and faithful servant whose life was marked by commitment, humility, grace, and a genuine care for others. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.
