Tribute to James - he was "the most beautiful of Mother Earth’s creations"

Lianne Cooper

02 May 2008

THE FATHER of James Hughes, who was found dead in Redditch last Wednesday (April 23) has paid tribute to his son whom he described as “the most beautiful of Mother Earth’s creations".
Paul Hughes, 42, who lives in Redditch with his wife Debbie, spoke of his devastation on learning of James’s death and said it had a left a massive hole in his life.
“Myself and my family would like to take this opportunity at this most shattering of times to pay tribute to our beloved James," he said.
“He was the most beautiful of Mother Earth’s creations that I have had the privilege to meet. His aura of happiness and mischief was plain for all to see.
“He taught us that the strong should look after the weak and so much about what was important in life and what was not."
Paul, who does not have any other children, said that until recently he had enjoyed regular contact with James, seeing him several times a week.
He described him as very tactile and added that he was fascinated by food, having a particular fondness for pizza and bananas - “he liked to touch and taste everything”.
James had also enjoyed swimming and being outdoors.
“He was a happy-go-lucky soul and always had a smile on his face," Paul added.
"He brought out the best in people he met, which is why I think it’s affected so many people the way it has - I have had calls from people I haven’t seen for 15 years who remembered meeting James.
“Although he was 22 James retained the innocence of childhood and he was very, very precious.”
Paul said that he had an awful feeling something terrible had happened to James as soon as he found out about Heather’s death and the news of James’s death had left him “devastated and gutted.”
“He was irreplaceable and it’s left a massive hole in my life.”
Steve Freer, headteacher at Pitcheroak School, where James joined as a pupil when he was three-years-old in 1989 and stayed until he was 18, also paid tribute to the 22-year-old.
He said James had a complex and severe set of learning needs and was not able to care for himself or express himself other than by smiles, laughter and gesture.
He was said to have loved the interaction that was given to him by both staff and pupils and was a very happy pupil.
"Because of his very special needs he required individual support in all areas of his life," Mr Freer.
"Staff and pupils at the school who knew James have fond memories of him and are shocked and saddened by the news of his death.
"James will be fondly remembered as a happy young man who loved the company of others - our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with his father and family."

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