John Othal Hughes, 88, of Prairie Village, KS died Monday, July 15, 2013. Memorial services are Saturday July 20, 2013, 1:00 pm at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, with interment at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Little Rock.
John was a lifelong resident of Overland Park and Kansas City, KS, graduating from Washington High School in 1942. John served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.
Following the war, John and his father formed O.W. Hughes Construction Company, building churches, schools and other commercial structures throughout the metro area. He also built and operated Raytown Swim Club for 25 years. John was employed by the Kansas City, KS Board of Education as Supervisor of Construction until his retirement.
Throughout his lifetime John was an active member of his community and his church. He shared his lifelong love of music singing baritone in church choirs. Plus he played a killer harmonica.
John stayed young by being constantly curious. He always wanted to know "what was going on". He was at his happiest when he had something to build or fix.
John was preceded in death by his parents Othal W. and Mabel Gentry Hughes and a brother James (Jim). He is survived by his loving wife Mary Scott Hughes and three children Judith (and Larry) Ouverson of Leadville, AR, Jeffrey (and Deborah) Hughes of Phoenix, AZ and Laura (and Patrick) Corogenes of Kansas City, MO, as well as four grandchildren, Jacob Hughes, Gentry Butzko, Clark Corogenes and Katherine Corogenes and two great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland or Village Presbyterian Church.