Brad "Chunker" Hughes

Brad "Chunker" Hughes, 49, of Bonita Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away May 16, 2010 in Artesia, NM. Visitation will be 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, May 20, 2010, 10:00 AM, at Blodgett Street Baptist Church with Pastor David Prell and Rusty Smith officiating. Interment will follow at 1:30 PM in Hughes Cemetery, Dog Canyon, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Brad "Chunker" Hughes was born May 10, 1961 in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Marion and Verna (Clifton) Hughes. He graduated from CHS in 1979. Brad worked on the family ranch while growing up. He professionally trained racehorses and then returned to the Guadalupe's where he owned and operated a sheep and cattle ranch. For the past several years Brad worked as a crane operator. He recently worked at the Navajo Refinery. Brad shared his love of horses with his daughter and also his passion for hunting. He enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing and was known to have an adventurous spirit. Brad was an active member of Blodgett Street Baptist Church where he and Kathy helped with the children's ministry. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Hughes of Carlsbad, NM; two daughters: Brooke Wilson and husband, Justin of Carlsbad, NM, Tamara Hughes of Carlsbad, NM; step-daughter, Nikki Crisp of Carlsbad, NM; parents, Marion and Verna Hughes of Dog Canyon, NM; sister, Pam Hughes Butler and husband, Danny of Loraine, TX; two brothers: Salty Hughes and wife, Debbie of Dog Canyon, NM, A. J. Hughes and wife, Amy of Goshen, IN; mother of his children, Tracy Hughes; adopted parents, John and Margaret White and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Ray Ballard, Bill Cox, Mark Forehand, Steve McGonagill, George Rauch, Richard West. Honorary pallbearers are John White, Mark Wilkie, Laurie Kincaid, Don Dando, Joe Cox, Nathan McGee and Ralph Walker. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Guadalupe Christian Camp, 56 Christian Camp Road, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.