James and Edith Hughes

James "Jim" Harold Hughes, 85, and Edith "Carol" Hughes, 83, passed away peacefully, within hours of each other, on March 3, 2018, at their home in Colorado Springs, Colo., surrounded by their loving family after 64 years of marriage.

Jim was born in Kirby, Wyo., on January 12, 1933, the fourth of seven children, to Harold and Lillian Hughes and raised in the coal-mining town of Gebo.

Carol was born on October 2, 1934, to Richard and Lillian "Irene" Clark and raised in New Castle, Pa., the oldest of three. She graduated from New Castle High School. Carol and Jim met in Boston in 1953 while they were both serving their country during the Korean Conflict.

Jim was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps, where he served at sea on the USS Baltimore. Carol proudly served in the United States Navy WAVES. They married on December 21, 1953.

Carol and Jim lived in New Castle, Pa., for 10 years where they started their family and Jim attended Slippery Rock State Teachers College. They moved to Colorado Springs in 1963 where Jim took a position teaching math at Palmer High School. In addition to caring for her home and family, Carol dedicated herself to her work as a library clerk at Centennial Elementary School. They both retired in 1995.

They were members of the Presbyterian Church. Their love story continues, as they left this world on the same day, just hours apart.

Jim and Carol were the loving parents of three sons, David (Brenda), John, Jim (Donna); daughter, Connie; and six grandchildren, Morgan (Matthew) Kennedy, Audra (Corey) Martin, Nathan Hughes, Nicholas Hughes, Kyle Hughes, Lindsey (John) Williams, and Brittany (Robert) Bryant; 10 great-grandchildren, and one on the way.

They were preceded in death by Carol's parents; Jim's parents; Jim's sisters, Irene and Fae; Jim's brother, Frank; their son, John; and grandson Nathan.

Jim and Carol have been inseparable for over six decades, and even death couldn't keep them apart.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 10 at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Funeral Home, 1830 East Fountain Boulevard in Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol and Jim's honor may be directed to Harrison School District Foundation, Inc. through Evergreen Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at http://www.evergreenfuneralhome.org.