1935 – 2013

FARMINGTON – Hugh L. Targett, 78, of Strong, went home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 7, following a long-term illness.

He was born August 2, 1935, in Flagstaff, the 6th of 11 children, to Erwin and Annette (Murray) Targett Sr. He was educated in Flagstaff and Stratton schools and enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving our country.

On July 14, 1956, he married the love of his life, Rocky Targett, and together they raised three children.

Over the years, he was employed at Forster Mfg. Co. as a tractor trailer driver and later drove truck for Starbird Lumber Co. He was a stern man on the Bateau on the log drives down the Kennebec and Dead Rivers as well as a cook on The “Big Tow”. He worked for Arthur Frecker running a cable crane, and will be remembered as the best cable crane operator for miles around, as he was a perfectionist with his technique for handling equipment. He was also a snow groomer and bull dozer operator at Sugarloaf and retired as a sawyer from CAT Lumber in 1997. He joined his daughter, Linda Barton, at Richards Florist and enjoyed his responsibilities delivering floral orders.

He was a longtime member of the Roderick-Crosby American Legion Post 28, loved old time country music, particularly George Jones and Vern Gosdin and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting deer and partridge and fishing for brook trout. He loved playing the guitar and singing at gatherings of his many friends and extended family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rocky, of 57 years; son Randy Targett and his wife, Heather, of Oquossoc; daughters, Laurie-Anne Targett Brown and her husband, Rich, and Linda Targett Barton and her husband, Peter, both of Strong; grandchildren, Kristofer Targett, Travis Targett, Garrett Adams, Amanda Barton Simpson, Keith Barton, Mitchell Robbins and Meg Targett ; six great-grandchildren; siblings, Herbert “Mike Targett, Dorothy Targett King, Edwin “Ted” Targett, David Targett, Victor Targett, John Targett, Donald Targett and Diane Targett Pelkey and their families.

He was predeceased by his folks, brother Erwin Targett Jr. and sister Mildred Targett Millikin.

Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.