Kenneth Wayne Hughes

October 22, 1943 – July 27, 2026

Kenneth W. "Ken" Hughes was born on October 22, 1943, in Lebanon, Indiana, to Marion Glen and Margaret Hughes. He was the oldest of four siblings. Ken passed away peacefully surrounded by his daughters’ love on July 27, 2026, at HopeWest Hospice Center in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Ken spent his early childhood in Somerset, Kentucky, where he was lovingly raised by his mother, Margaret, and his grandmothers, Lesla, Desda, and Vesta, while his father served in the military during World War II. An avid reader and exceptional student, Ken consistently earned straight A's and developed a lifelong love of books, especially stories about the American West, cowboys, and Native Americans.

Because of his asthma, Ken was sent to Wyoming to live when he was about 14 years old. There, he found the life he had always dreamed of. He eventually settled in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and began working as a ranch hand at the Arapaho Ranch. While working on the ranch, Ken became part of the ranch family, learned to speak the Arapaho language fluently, and embraced the traditions and culture of the Northern Arapaho people.

While living in Thermopolis, Ken met Florence Gambler, and the two were married on April 4, 1960. Together they were blessed with seven children—one son and six daughters. Their son, Kenneth W. Hughes Jr., was born in 1961 and tragically drowned at the age of two in the creek near their home in Arapaho, Wyoming. Though devastated by this loss, Ken and Florence were later blessed with six daughters: Sheila, Rebecca, Tammy, Deborah, Melanie, and Teresa.

The family lived in the Thermopolis area for many years while Ken worked on the ranch before transitioning to the oil fields to better provide for his growing family. They later moved to Worland, Wyoming, where Ken founded and operated Hughes Truss Company. Through his construction business, he built numerous homes throughout the area, working tirelessly to provide for his daughters and ensure they had everything they needed.

The family later relocated to Lander, Wyoming, where Ken continued building homes in both Lander and the Fort Washakie area. Along the way, he formed lifelong friendships and welcomed many people into his life as family. Ken had a wandering soul and made his home in many places throughout the country, including South Dakota, Washington, Oregon, Utah, and eventually Colorado. He called Delta home for the past 15 years, but Wyoming always held a special place in his heart and was where he truly considered home.

Ken was a proud member of the Masons and the Shriners. His faith was an important part of his life, and he made it a priority to take his daughters to church while they were growing up. He was an active member of the Methodist Church in both Worland and Lander, faithfully attending Sunday services and participating in church activities.

Ken is survived by his siblings, Winston Dennis (Linda) Hughes of Goldsboro, North Carolina; Barbara Sue Hughes-Maultsby of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Linda Louise Sercus of Somerset, Kentucky. He is also survived by his daughters, Rebecca Hughes, Tammy (David) Snyder, Deborah Hughes, and Melanie Gambler, all of Fort Washakie, Wyoming, and Teresa (Robert) HisChase of Riverton, Wyoming.

He leaves behind 19 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends whom he considered family throughout his life and travels.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Marion Glen and Margaret Hughes; his beloved grandmothers, Desda, Lesla, and Vesta Hughes; his grandparents and great-grandparents; his son, Kenneth W. Hughes Jr.; his daughter, Sheila Y. Hughes; his grandson, Scott R. Sorrels; his granddaughter, Monica J. Gambler; and his great-granddaughter, Serenity Apodaca.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at HopeWest Oncology, PeopleCare, Comfort Keepers, and HopeWest Hospice for the exceptional care, kindness, and dignity they provided to Ken during his illness.

Ken will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, his love for the American West, his deep appreciation for the Northern Arapaho people and their culture, his generosity, and, above all, his devotion to his family. His legacy lives on through the generations that follow him and the many lives he touched. His greatest pride was his family, and he found his greatest joy in watching it grow through the generations.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.