‘The kid was special’

Campbellsville University senior Peyton Hughes, 21, was known for being a talented fisherman, but he was also a beloved son, brother, boyfriend, friend and teammate. The loss of Hughes has left many people broken-hearted. However, many are taking the time to remember the life he lived and how he impacted others.

Hughes passed away in a kayak fishing accident at Toledo Bend Reservoir in Hemphill, Texas on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Dalton Smith, CU’s first kayak bass fishing coach, was introduced to Hughes by mutual friends. Smith was searching for recruits to the new kayak team and was directed to Hughes while he was studying at Washington County High School. During their first encounter, Smith said he was able to tell Hughes would be a good fisherman based on their conversation. Hughes committed to joining CU’s kayak bass fishing team and was led under Smith’s leadership for a year before Smith moved to West Texas.

“I knew he was talented,” said Smith. “I knew he had the passion for it.”

According to Smith, Hughes not only fished for the school, but also for himself.

“He was an angler that was trying to take it to the next level,” he said.

In the beginning of Hughes’ time on the fishing team, Smith said he was quiet, usually observing what was happening, however he was always friendly with people.

“I don’t think he ever met somebody that he didn’t get along with,” he said.

During his short time as Hughes’ coach, Smith encouraged him to focus on his studies along with his fishing goals and recounts that he saw him “grow up” during his freshman year and invest in what he was doing.

“Peyton had a natural talent for fishing,” he said. “The kid was special.”

According to Smith, Hughes’ smile is what everyone remembers and talks about.

“I think he would want to be remembered for his love for life,” said Smith, “and his love for fishing.”

Hughes’ passing is heartbreaking; however, Smith looks on the bright side to see that his life ended where he was most happy.

“It fills me with some ease that he passed away on the water,” he said, “because I know Peyton loved it as much as I did. And if you ask me where I wanted to go, that’s where I would want the good Lord to take me.”

Almost three years ago, Amy Wathen met Hughes through mutual friends at a party. After that, they were always around each other.

“He was outgoing and goofy,” she said. “He always had a smile on his face.”

After two months of talking, Hughes couldn’t wait any longer to ask Wathen to be his girlfriend.

“I was at the beach with my two cousins, and we were watching the sunset [when] he messaged me,” she said.

After returning from her family vacation, Hughes and Wathen went on their first date.

“It was innocent puppy love,” she said. “We were very shy.”

According to Wathen, during the beginning of their relationship, they were nervous with one another, however, the two would have long and meaningful conversations.

“We would just sit and talk about everything under the stars,” she said.

After the two of them graduated high school in 2022, Hughes came to CU and Wathen went to Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC). At the beginning of this year, Wathen transferred to Western Kentucky University (WKU) and the two started a long-distance relationship.

When they were together, the two spent a lot of their time outdoors, fishing being their most common activity. Other activities included hunting on Wathen’s property and watching movies, whether at her house or the theater.

“It was just perfect, and we loved spending time with one another…absolutely anything, we just had the best time,” she said.

Last year, Hughes joined Wathen on her family vacation at her aunt’s home in North Carolina. She reminisced, saying this is one of her favorite memories with Hughes.

Wathen described this time as a “real vacation.” They all took the time to relax and enjoy themselves.

Wathen says she and Hughes would go for drives, just the two of them, and although she had visited multiple times and seen all the sights, it was nice to do it all with Hughes.

Wathen’s aunt owns a beach house and the two of them would go fishing. Hughes managed to catch multiple exotic creatures there, including a sting ray, jellyfish, and octopus. Wathen remembers how cool it was to see them so close up.

At one point, they went fishing together at sunset.

“It was just really peaceful,” she said.

Hughes’ passion for fishing was obvious. When he spent time with Wathen, she says it was “nonstop talking” about fishing.

“He’d be sitting there playing with his baits, playing with his rods, watching videos, we’d watch videos together,” she said.

Wathen could see how goal-driven and determined Hughes was with his fishing career.

“He wanted to be a fish and wildlife technician,” she said. “He wanted to go pro. That’s how much fishing meant to him.”

Outside of fishing, Wathen said he was a “great boyfriend, a good friend and a great family member.”

“He just made the best of things and looked on the bright side,” she said.

According to Wathen, Hughes was always a big support for her and her dreams. Wathen is studying at WKU to become a veterinarian, and she says that Hughes was always excited for her.

“It’s okay to be sad, but really he would want me to be doing things I enjoy,” she said.

Although her plans and goals are for herself, Wathen says that she’ll do it for Hughes, knowing he’ll be happy for her.

The two of them dated for a little more than two years.

“He was the calm to my storm. He was there to keep the peace between things,” she said, “always made me laugh when I was upset.”

Not only was Hughes the calm for Wathen, but she said she believes he was the calm for his friends, as well. He could be described as their “favorite friend,” a person everyone was able to look up to.

Hughes was happy and hard-working. According to Wathen, he cared about everyone.

“He was the first to make me feel genuinely cared about and loved,” said Wathen. “He was my best friend…he was perfect.”

Wathen said one of the most difficult parts of losing Hughes is not being able to talk with him.

“He is the person I always want to talk to,” she said. “I just want to call him.”

Alex Meade, instructor of mass communication, taught Hughes in two classes during the last two semesters. This semester, Meade had Hughes in his editing class.

According to Meade, Hughes’ major was in sports management and media.

When Meade first met Hughes in class, he described him as quiet and “hiding in the shadows a little bit.” However, as time went on, he was able to get to know Hughes more.

Hughes’ first class with Meade was last spring in introduction to broadcasting. When this class is held in the spring semester, the students must participate in covering the live feed for CU Athletics Awards Night.

During this event, Hughes worked as a camera man. His position during the ceremony was in the so-called “crow’s nest.” Meade explained that the camera he operated had a difficult shot to position your body with the camera, however, Hughes worked well with his options.

“With the little bit of training he had,” Meade said, “he did overall a really good job.”

Meade remembers a class Hughes attended while they were practicing for Awards Night. Hughes was a commuting student from Washington County and on his way to Meade’s class, he passed Best Donuts.

“He showed up with a box of donuts for everyone,” he said.

Meade also remembers a rainy day after class when Hughes asked Meade for paper towels. He was kindly directed towards the bathroom and asked what they were for. Hughes explained his truck had a “leaky windshield” and his dash was completely flooded. Meade was shocked and asked him why he didn’t leave class to go fix it.

“I know, but we were busy,” was Hughes’ reply.

Meade was amazed at this response.

From then on, the class would joke with Hughes whenever there was rain, saying, “Do you need a towel? We got a beach towel for you.”

Before Hughes left for his final tournament, the two of them made sure he was prepared for his upcoming assignments, and Meade wished him luck in Texas.

“He was just a good kid,” said Meade. “Always respectful. A quiet, nice, kind and generous guy.”