Russell Edward Hughes October 31, 1981 – October 14, 2018 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| View Guest Book Entries| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Russell “Rusty” Edward Hughes died on October 14, the loving father of Christian Hughes; beloved husband of Sara Eaton; cherished son of Russell (Patsy) Hughes and the late Merry Ann Hughes; dear brother to Dawn Lee Ann (Harold Key-V) Williams, Bethany Hughes, Jenny (Scott) McCain, Dustin (Jacquie) Hodges, and Joe (Stephanie) Hodges; and a treasured uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend to many. Rusty was born on October 31, 1981. He was a natural performer.
He shared his music and comedy everywhere–onstage, around a campfire, on a riverbank, or at the kitchen table. He was an excellent cook, and showed his love by feeding his friends and family whenever (and as much) as he could. He worked hard at every job he could find, from machine operation to cooking to sales, usually holding at least two jobs at any time.
Rusty was hilarious, strong, courageous, caring. He didn’t have acquaintances, only friends, finding a way to relate to the hardest of hearts. Struggling with his demons, he never failed to make another person laugh.
Rusty was a loving husband and father. His family was his world. While he was such a light in all our lives, they were his light.
More than anyone else, he loved his son, Christian, who was born in 2008. Despite his personal battles, he to transform his life for Chris, working to stay sober so that he could be the father his son needed. He and his wife, Sara, shared seven years of marriage.
Times could be difficult as they fought the battle of Rusty’s addiction together, but she tried to be his both his rock and his soft spot to land. Their marriage was full of love and laughter. While his death was unexpected, Rusty suffered from drug addiction, and we lived with the fear that addiction would claim his life.
Over the past three years, Rusty’s disease took him through incredible darkness In July 2017, Rusty agreed to check himself into rehab, where he was able to find sobriety and form a relationship with God. After graduation, Rusty came home and for seven months was the man his family knew and loved. For those wonderful months–with family trips to the river, dinners cooked together, a new job, and a renewed passion for music–we believed he would overcome his disease and have the life we knew he deserved.
We believed this until the moment he took his last breath. But addiction is a relentless liar; it told Rusty he wasn’t good enough, that he didn’t deserve recovery. Despite his family around him, it told him that he wasn’t loved, that he was alone.
Though we would give anything to have him with us, his addiction would not quit until it took him. We are grateful for the time we had together and the memories we shared. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 3rd at 2:15pm at the River View Room above Buckner Brewing Company at 132 N Main Street, Cape Girardeau, MO, with visitation starting at 1pm.
An additional St. Louis visitation service to offer support to Rusty’s family, especially his son, will be held Thursday, November 1st at Twin City Church of Christ at 11780 County Road CC, Festus, MO from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to John 3:16, a place where Rusty spent time and felt supported. Donations can be made via its website, john316thecure.com.
If you yourself are struggling from addiction, know that every breath is a fresh start. Know that hundreds of thousands of families who have lost someone to this disease are praying and rooting for you. Know that we believe with all our hearts that you can and will make it.
It is never too late. If you are reading this with judgment, educate yourself about this disease, because that is what it is. It is not a choice or a weakness.
Chances are very good that someone you know is struggling with it, and that person needs and deserves your empathy and support. If you work in one of the many institutions through which addicts often pass — rehabs, hospitals, jails, courts — and treat them with the compassion and respect they deserve, thank you. If instead you see a junkie or thief or liar in front of you rather than a human being in need of help, consider a new profession.
Our grief over losing Rusty is a little bit of everything/It’s the mountains and the fog/It’s the news at six o’clock/It’s the death of my first dog/It’s the angels up above me/It’s the song that they don’t sing/It’s a little bit of everything. We are comforted knowing Rusty is free from the struggle that haunted him, and only wish he could have known that freedom in this life.
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