Luther Hugh Soules

Luther Hugh Soules, 89, of Gatesville, Texas, passed away on February 19, 2012, at Hillside Nursing and Rehabilitation, in Gatesville. Graveside services with Masonic Rites will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the Hurst Ranch Cemetery, Star, Texas. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville. Hugh was born June 12, 1922, in Star, Texas, the son of James Fowler and Margaret Boykin Soules. He attended Star School before joining the US Air Force, stationed in Enid, Oklahoma. He married Letha May Karnes on June 11, 1942, and they continued to live in Enid after the service, working for Gold Spot Dairy. When they returned to Texas, he farmed and ranched in the Star and Moline area. He also worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, retiring in 1982. He was a member of Goldthwaite Masonic Lodge #694 A.F. & A.M. Hugh and Letha May moved to Gatesville in 1983, where they began working at Flentge’s Ace Hardware. He was known around town as the “white haired man at Ace” that could help you with any building or repairing job. He continued ranching and gardening; growing banana peppers, tomatoes and onions for neighbors and friends. Hugh is preceded in death by his wife, Letha May Karnes, sisters, Mary McCasland, Ozella Clary, Choella Clary, Florence Sheldon, and brothers, Wink and James Soules. He is survived by son Jimmy Soules and wife Linda, of Aledo; daughters, Wanda Bradshaw and husband Joe, of California, Donna Mauldin and husband Mark, of Cedar Park; sisters, Virgie Sheldon of Evant, Lottie Morris of Mesquite; sister-in-law, Nelda Karnes of Gatesville; brother-in-law, James Karnes and wife Grace of Lorena. Also, grandchildren, Tim Soules and wife Michelle, of Aledo, Holli Thrailkill and husband Jason, of Nevada, Jennifer Alford and husband Russell, of Lipan, Justin Rind, of Nevada, Michael Bradshaw and wife Shanna, of Fort Worth, Nathan Bradshaw and wife Jennifer, of McKinney; great grandchildren, Amanda, Kameron, TJ, Jacob, Mya, Kaili, Hayden Hugh, Lily, Dovie, Jonah, and Logan; and great-great grandsons, Robbie & Jaxson. The family would like to thank Hillside Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Scott and White Hospice, for their care and compassion; and some special friends in Gatesville who were there for him, Donald Wolske, J.W.Rainer, Gene Ayers, Keith Allison, Randy and Larry Heimbuck; neighbors, Jack Herring, Curtis and Phyllis Harvey, and Andy Cloud. Memorial contributions in honor of Hugh are suggested to Star Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 301 Star, TX 76880.