Gerald Leon Hughes, Sr, better known as "Polio," age 83, of Ducktown, TN, passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2023. He was born on October 29, 1939, in Ducktown, to the late James Clarence Hughes and Lydia Mae Trantham Hughes. He was a member of Mine City Baptist Church. He worked for over twenty years for the Tennessee Chemical Company where he was Truck Foreman. Later he owned and operated his own business as a diesel mechanic and truck driver. He had the gift of service and enjoyed helping people. He had served as a volunteer firefighter, Mayor of Ducktown, and Director of Civil Defense. He was an avid sports fan of local teams in Copper Basin and Fannin County where he enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren compete in numerous sports. He loved University of Tennessee sports and stock car racing as well and was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Larry L. Hughes.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Shirley Jean Hughes; children and their spouses, Kimberly Potter-Byrd and Bob Byrd, Gerald and Debra Hughes, Jr., Cynthia Suits-Gerkey and Roger Gerkey, Natalie Hughes, and Lori and Mark Raper; brother and sister-in-law, James Douglas and Carol Hughes; sister-in-law, Jackie Hughes; grandchildren, Holly Norton, Heather Hedden, Jason Potter, Matthew Hughes, Cortney Hook, Sarah Potter, Christi Suits-Young, Jerad Potter, Lucas Raper, Logan Suits, Heaven Suits, Cody Thomason, and Zachary Thomason; step-grandchildren, Taylor Byrd, Travis Byrd, James Gerkey, and Thasha Garren; and twenty-five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 2:00 PM from the Akins-Cobb Copperhill Chapel with Rev. Luke Hall officiating. Music will be provided by Holly Norton. Interment will follow in the Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Matthew Hughes, Jason Potter, Jerad Potter, Jason Hook, Logan Suits, and Lucas Raper. Honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandsons. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Saturday afternoon from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.akinscobb.com.

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Copperhill, TN is in charge of the arrangements.