Hugh has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of Virginia since 1983. He is a Richlands High School Class of 1955 Graduate. After serving in the United States Marine Corp, Hugh attended Lees-McRae Junior College and graduated from East Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Public Health. He is a 1983 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service and is a member of the National Funeal Directors Association, the Virginia Funeral Directors Association, and the Southwest Virginia Funeral Directors Association.

He and his wife Carole have two sons, Shannon and Trevor.