Hughes, Nathaniel “Nat” Cheairs, Jr.

Former GPS Headmaster, Historian And Author

  • Friday, December 14, 2012
Dr. Hughes
Dr. Hughes

Nathaniel “Nat” Cheairs Hughes, Jr., Ph.D., former headmaster of Girls Preparatory School, and beloved member of the Chattanooga community, died Wednesday morning at the age of 81. 

A native of Chattanooga and life-long history student, Dr. Hughes received his B.A. in history from Yale University in 1953, a master’s degree and his doctorate degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1956.

Dr. Hughes was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a lieutenant, where he served 2 years as an amphibious tank commander.  He reached the rank of Captain while serving in the Marine Corps Reserve.

He began his educational career in 1959, serving for three years at the Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN, where he coached and taught history and English.  He was appointed headmaster of St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, TN in 1962, where he served for more than 11 years, helping the school grow and prosper.

In 1973, Dr. Hughes moved with his wife and three children to Chattanooga and became headmaster of GPS, where he served faithfully for 14 years.  In 1986, he was presented the William R. “Old Sawney” Webb Award “in honor of his distinguished career as a headmaster.”

Upon retiring in 1987, Dr. Hughes turned to his passion for history and writing.  He has authored 35 books, including fiction and non-fiction, and in 2000 was awarded the Charles L. Defour Award for a lifetime of achievement in the historiography of the American Civil War.

Dr. Hughes served as a lay reader in the Episcopal Church and as a vestryman in three parishes.  He has been a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Chattanooga since 1973.  He was a member of the Tennessee Historical Society and the Southern Historical Association and was past-President of the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools.

He is survived by his wife, Buckner Latimore Hughes; and children Frank (D’Arcy), Lookout Mountain; David (Kathaleen), Chattanooga; and Sam (Mitzi), Omaha, NE; and grandchildren, Kelsey, David Jr., Nathan, Scott, Mary, Adam and Samantha.

Services will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chattanooga on Tuesday, Dec. 18. 

A visitation will begin at 3 p.m. with the service at 4 p.m.

Obituaries
Glendora Johnson
Glendora Johnson
  • 3/26/2024

Glendora V. Johnson, (aka. Mother, Nanny, Aunt Glen) was born on March 27, 1927, to the late Tom and Flora Smith in Bakewell, Tn. She was the youngest of nine children and was a graduate of Booker ... more

Ruth Teague Kolwyck
Ruth Teague Kolwyck
  • 3/26/2024

Ruth Teague Kolwyck, 86, of Chickamauga, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Born in Tate, Ga., Mrs. Kolwyck was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga and ... more

Marvin Kenneth Dedmon
Marvin Kenneth Dedmon
  • 3/26/2024

Marvin Kenneth Dedmon, 85, of East Ridge, passed away on March 26, 2024 at his residence surrounded by his family. Marvin was born in Ringgold, on Nov. 29, 1938 to the late Woodrow and Irene ... more