Tom graduated from Cristobal High School, Canal Zone. Immediately upon graduation, he was drafted by the St Louis Cardinal's baseball club, playing two seasons with the Houston Buffaloes. In 1958 he was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served his country.
On May 13, 1958, Tom married the love of his wife, Lorna Helen Urban at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Upon completion of his military service he returned to baseball as a pitcher with the St Louis Cardinals. Following his career in baseball, Tom transitioned into the petrochemical industry as a safety engineer.
He was a longtime member of the Panama Canal Zone Society and had a passion for golf.
He is survived by his beloved wife Lorna Urban Hughes; children, Thomas E. Hughes Jr. and wife Kelli, Jeffrey Alan Hughes and wife Tamera; grandchildren Lorna Lyn Hughes, Thomas E. Hughes III, Ashely Dawn Hughes, Thomas Martin Hughes and Trevor Dean Hughes; nephews Scott Claflin and Bret Claflin. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, William and Myrtle Hughes, sister Sandra E. Claflin, and niece Forrest Claflin.
Visitation will be held at 9:00 am followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:00 am with a reception to be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road, Houston, Texas 77058. A committal service will be held at 2:15pm at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038.
Please send all floral arrangements to American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038, by Wednesday, November 6, 2019 by 4:00 pm.
