Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The Suwannee County community is mourning the loss of a well-known resident who was affectionately known as “The Handyman” and “The Weatherman.” James Byron “Jim” Hughens passed away at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Gainesville on Wednesday, June 25, after a brief illness.
His sister-in-law, Jacki Hughens, said he was very friendly and loved meeting new people. “He never met a stranger, and if he liked you, he would do all that he could to help you,” she said. Jim’s ability to connect with others shone through as he utilized his skills as a handyman, a skill he developed by taking various jobs as a skilled laborer at Howland’s Building Supply. “He learned his skills by taking work that was offered to him,” Jacki said. “He was really good at what he did.”
Jim was born in New Paltz, N.Y., on May 22, 1961, to a family that included four brothers and six sisters. After graduating from high school in Ishpeming, Mich., he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving for six years before returning to Ishpeming, where he sold insurance door-to-door. He was also married and had a daughter, Tiffany.
In 1996, Jim moved to Suwannee County, where he held several local positions, including sales at Wayne Frier Mobile Homes. He then decided to become a handyman, taking on odd jobs as a laborer and tackling various repair and maintenance tasks for residents in the area. He was also a skilled roofer. He would tell people, “I ain’t ‘fraid of no work,” which ultimately became his slogan.
Jacki said Jim was proud of the fact he did not drive and would request anyone who needed his help to pick him up and bring him home. “They knew where he lived, they knew he didn’t steal anything, and most of them would buy him a beer at the end,” she said.
He was also one to give back. During Thanksgiving, he could be seen carving the turkey at Pizza Hut during their free Thanksgiving dinner events and would dress up as The Grinch during Christmas events.
Around town, Jim was also known as “The Weatherman,” a nickname he earned through his presence on local community pages on social media. “He would do his daily spiel, promoting his handyman service on Facebook, then follow up with ‘And the weather will be…’” Jacki said.
He enhanced his weatherman persona by constructing a large mailbox in his yard, which was marked “KWTF Weather” on one side and featured an advertisement for his handyman service on the other. He complemented the mailbox with a “Doppler rock” tied to a stick and connected to the mailbox.
When he wasn’t working or delivering the weather report, Jim enjoyed spending time with friends at The Little Bar and would often be seen going fishing, a pastime he truly enjoyed. “Whenever he’d walk someplace, people who knew him would pick him up on the side of the road and take him wherever he needed to go,” Jacki said. He also had a friend in Worthless, his dog, and enjoyed the company of his family, especially his seven grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his daughters, Tiffany, Shanon and Elizabeth. He is also survived by his siblings; Theresa, Julie, Valerie, Jacki, Nora, Cecilia, Dan, Kevin, David and Joshua. A host of cousins, nieces and nephews also survive.
A memorial service for Jim has been scheduled for Saturday, July 5, at 10 a.m. at Rocky Sink Baptist Church, located at 8422 Rocky Sink Rd., in Live Oak. Following the service, everyone is invited to join the family for a potluck cookout at 12:30 p.m. at 6427 161st Rd., in Live Oak. There will be cornhole, tetherball and horseshoes, among other activities.