James Arthur Hughes

Jim was born in Highland Park (Detroit), Michigan on July 7, 1934 to the late Arthur Lloyd Hughes and the late Marian Jeanette Mackey. As a child, his family moved to Washington, D.C., where he was raised and later met the love of his life, his wife of 65 years, Margaret “Margie” Conlon. They met 73 years ago, in 1952, while Margie was working in the registrar’s office at Catholic University and he as an ROTC Cadet and the 3rd baseman for the CU Baseball team, beginning a journey that would span generations.

Following Graduation from Catholic University in 1956, Jim began his service in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Harlingen AFB, TX where he attended Navigators Training, and later Mountain Home AFB in Idaho. He also completed Advanced (Aircrew) Survival Training at Fairchild AFB, WA.  In 1960 he separated from service as a 1st Lieutenant to return to Washington, DC as an Air Force reservist to marry Margie and start their family.

They raised their four children in Silver Spring, Maryland, where they were parishioners at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Jim’s passion for baseball led him to coaching the St. John’s CYO Baseball Team where they proudly won back-to-back CYO Championships in 1975 and 1976.

Jim and Margie later moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1978, where Jim continued his career as an Engineer conducting sonar testing for the US and British submarine squadrons for A.U.T.E.C. in West Palm Beach, Florida and Andros, Bahamas until retiring in 1999 to the Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida.

We celebrate the life of an extraordinary man whose affinity for sports, and love of family and friends remained with him until the end. A devoted husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandfather, he filled every role with leadership by example, faith in the Catholic Church and unwavering love and support of his family. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Hughes; his parents Arthur Hughes and Marian (nee: Mackey) Hughes; brother Ivan W. (Billy) Hughes, twin sisters Joan (DeVaney) and Jane, beloved nephew Art Devaney and beloved grandson, James Hughes. Jim is survived by his children, Mark (Patricia) Hughes of Annapolis, Maryland, John Glen (Cindy) Hughes of Jupiter, Florida, Maria (Brian) Carlton of Jupiter, Florida, and Gary (Linda) Hughes of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; grandchildren, Michele (Josh) Rudnicki, Nicholas (Justine) Hughes, Michael (Hilary) Vitale, Mallory (Sampson) Kasapakis, Allyson (Edward) Bollinger, Shelby (Zachary) Warford, and Matthew Hughes; 16 great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Theresa Speiker, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

His final resting place will be in the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery, a place that holds special meaning to them both. Marge and Jim cherished their summers at the Quechee Club, creating lasting memories with friends and family, playing golf, attending the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival and enjoying the leaves changing as summer gave way to the fall in the Green Mountains of Vermont.

A funeral service for James will be held Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Saint Andrew Catholic Church, 2100 SE Cove Rd, Stuart, FL 34997.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor the loving memory of Jim Hughes, the family asks that you consider making a contribution to Treasure Coast Hospice.