Thomas Hughes

1930 - 2020

Thomas Hughes obituary, 1930-2020, Juneau, AK

BORN

1930

DIED

2020

Thomas Hughes Obituary

Thomas C. Hughes walked into the forest on August 2nd 2020 at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage Alaska. He was 89 years old. He was born on August 14, 1930 in Juneau to Thomas Hughes and Elizabeth Chapman.

His early years were spent at 875 Basin Road, while his father worked in the A.J. Mine. Soon after, Thomas and his parents relocated to England and traveled there on the Queen Mary, they lived there until 1942. After a short stay in England, and during wartime, the family boarded a Navy transport ship and came back to Juneau. Thomas had many childhood friends and as an only child he had, and kept many friends close to him all throughout his life.

He loved big band and jazz music and played the trombone and trumpet, his love for music was only surpassed by his love for animals especially his cat Sparky. His love for animals and music was shared with his family and friends. After high school he worked as a longshoreman, he also served in the military and while enlisted, he worked as a Rotary wing mechanic in the U.S. Airforce, a Fixed station radio operator and repairman in U.S. Army, and as an administration supervisor in the U.S. Army National Guard, from 1948 to 1957.

He crab fished in icy straits with Duke on the F/V Adeline, and later owned his own boat the F/V Cygnus. He loved king salmon fishing in Hoonah and cherished memories of his cousin Bud Brown, and his life partner, Lottie Glover.

He drove cab for many years and he was recognized for wearing his white cap while working for Taku Taxi.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his son Fred Barclay, and his wives: Sherry Barclay, Minnie E. Brown, Charlotte Buchannan and Ella St. Claire.

He is survived by his children: Thomas Barclay, Morris Barclay, Ruby Hughes, Leroy Hughes, Robert Hughes, Richard Carle, Elizabeth Carle and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Celebration of life services will be announced at a later date and they will be held in Juneau, and Hoonah, with his ashes scattered at his favorite king salmon drag in Hoonah, Alaska.

Flowers, donations, and condolences may be offered at Ruby Hughes 611 West 7th St. Apt A Juneau, Alaska 99801.

Published by Juneau Empire from Aug. 14 to Sep. 13, 2020.
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Memories and Condolences
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hi I drove with Tom back in 1975 for 4 years he was a person who loved his job I never saw him mad at any one, he helped when needed ill never forget his cab hat eheh miss you Tom God bless.

harvey Wheaton

Friend

August 8, 2023

wow I was just thinking of him about a week ago,,,I sure do miss the cab driving years, he was fun to be around, I'm gonna miss him and he's cense of humor sorry to the family for your loss,,

Harvey F Wheaton

Friend

August 25, 2020

Goodbye old friend.

Karen Crowley Wilson

Friend

August 18, 2020

My condolences Ruby and family, my sister just let me know this news. He was a missed member of the community when he moved to Juneau. Take care.

Joyce Skaflestad

Friend

August 17, 2020

I’ll always remember him by that hat and the fact he worked alongside my father “Longshore Brownie” for many years and later on in life no matter how far away in distance he was in hoonah if you saw that hat you knew who it was!

RIP. Condolences to the family, Jolene (Brown) and Jerry King, Hoonah

Jolene F King

Friend

August 17, 2020

Tom Hughes was a versatile Alaskan that was very easy to like. I knew Tom when he worked for the Governor's Officer under Terry Lennon and in later years I always enjoyed "bumping into him" in Juneau on his occasional trips from Hoonah. Tom was a true throwback to the old Alaska and will be greatly missed. RIP, Tom

Sid LaMonica

Friend

August 16, 2020

Thank you, Tom, for patiently teaching me about Juneau in the 1960's and being a friend. Sometimes those early morning rides to the babysitter and work through the cold and snow were life giving. Deepest sympathy for the family.

Jeri Museth

Friend

August 15, 2020

I will always remember Tommy Hughes’ driving skills in the days when 4 wheel drive vehicles and studded snow tires were not widely in use. My family lived at the top of Gold Street and like many Juneau families in those days we didn’t own a car. We would shop for groceries at the Twentieth Century Market on Front Street and “PC” (personal call) a request for Tommy Hughes to drive us home. We would pile in and Tommy would drive up the lower part of Basin Road, driving very slowly up the icy road, inching up, never gunning the engine. He was a masterful driver.
There was also a long-time personal connection through the Sanford family, our Basin Road neighbors. Evelyn and Tommy’s mother were friends. We were such a close-knit neighborhood in those days.

My condolences to Ruby and the family. Tommy was a great guy. He will be missed.

Kim Metcalfe

Friend

August 15, 2020

Back in the day, Tom was one of my fellow cab drivers for Taku when Red Holloway was the only cab company in town, no matter what name. A wonderful gentle guy with what at the time was the best jazz collection on vinyl in Juneau. RIP, Tom.

Dennis Harris

August 14, 2020

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