Roy M. Hough

Hough, Roy M. Sunfield, Michigan

At the age of 96, in the early hours of Wednesday February 24, 2010, Roy Hough was called home by his heavenly father. When Roy walked through the gates, angels were polishing the hood of an antique Mogul Tractor. It was purring and ready for a special parade. Along the route, his wife Pauline, their daughter, Carol, his sister, Frances, and his parents, Mary (Becker) and Ernest Hough were waiting. Many other friends and family lined the golden streets for a special welcome.

Roy Maynard Hough was born on January 15, 1914. He was raised on a farm in Sunfield, MI with sister, Frances (Gerald Stucker), and his brother, Murray (Violet) Hough, now of Lansing. Roy’s mother once said, "Roy can see a tractor a mile away, but he can’t see a horse right by the fence." He helped around the farm in any way he could, enjoyed playing "oil truck" with his wagon and a milk can, and walked a mile to school. Roy graduated from Sunfield High School in 1932. He had always known Pauline (Reahm), as their families were close friends. Pauline said, "I liked Roy because he was thoughtful and courteous, and I thought he was handsome. He always drove a nice car." In 1935, Roy and Pauline married. After living in Sunfield where Roy worked at the elevator, they bought their farm south of Sunfield where they raised their two daughters, Marilee (Larry Steward) of Sunfield and Dr. Carol (Tom Winters).

During his many years in Sunfield, Roy served in many ways. He was a school bus driver, school board member, active member of the Sunfield United Brethren Church, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Leader, church treasurer, as well as business owner.

Roy and Murray, the Hough Boys, joined in a business venture to create, Hough Brothers, Inc. Millwrights and Builders. They became well known for their renovation work on many area grain elevators, and employed 30 - 40 people from the local community. Soon they were internationally known for their slip form cement silos and feed mill innovations.

After retiring in 1977, Roy made a full time hobby of antique tractor restoration. The shop and barn were full of rusty relics that needed his attention. Working out in the shop, he slowly put these "Iron Biddies" back into working order, and drove them at numerous tractor shows, parades and special occasions.

He and Pauline also went on many trips to exotic places. In 1979, they pulled a trailer up the Alcan Highway to Alaska. The vibrations of the gravel road jiggled the radio right out of the dash of the Cordoba they drove. Later, in the 1980’s, they went to Australia, and China. When asked what his favorite trip was, Roy said, "Well, I would have to say it was turning south off M-43 and cresting the hill to see home."

He introduced his love of anything that would go, to his four grandchildren; Kevin (Tricia) Steward, of Grand Ledge, Karin Steward (Ronnie Raymond) of Sunfield, Amy Winters (Merl Seifken) of Naperville, IL, and John Winters of Grand Rapids. Grandpa Roy let them have the run of the farmyard with his toys. He was always willing to teach them anything he knew, and lead them by giving a good example of strong Christian Values.

He was excited to be able to pass his hobby on to his Five Great Grandchildren, Jacob and Josh Seifken, Dylan and Jolena Steward, and Ashleigh Raymond. They would all beg to get the tractors out at every family gathering.

The visitation and funeral will be held at Sunfield United Brethren Church. Visitation on March 4, from 1 – 4pm and 6-9pm, and funeral service on March 5 at 11am in Sunfield, Michigan. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Lake Odessa, MI. . Express your thoughts and memories in the online Guest Book at www.legacy.com The family is being served by the Independent Family Owned Funeral Home in Sunfield: Rosier Funeral Home.