Henry Edward Hughes

1941 - 2016

Henry Edward Hughes, 75, died Friday, September 9, 2016. We have lost a witty, loyal and generous man, who happened to also be a lawyer, and whose antics, humor and friendship will be sorely missed.

Henry certainly had great talent as a criminal defense lawyer, but he was also a man of irreverent humor. If you knew him, he undoubtedly made you laugh. Politically correct, he was not. He called the female courthouse clerks "honey," "baby" and "sweetheart," all the while being a true feminist, as he had two daughters whom he absolutely believed were equal (or superior) to any man. Just ask anyone – if a female wanted to be treated like "one of the guys," he would invite you into the locker room, but under no circumstances did he underestimate a woman's knowledge or skill. He recognized that the clerks and secretaries were the most important and knowledgeable people in the courthouse, and he would much rather have had their friendship than that of the judges, if he had to choose. Luckily, he did not have to choose, and his circle of friends was vast, both inside and outside the courthouse. Those who loved him should know that he spent most of his last days talking about you and being appreciative of your friendship. He was loyal, devoted and grateful to each of you until the end.

His path to becoming a renowned criminal defense lawyer began in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, where he was born on May 10, 1941. Although he lived in Lexington for 50 years, he remembered his Eastern Kentucky roots every day. His mother, Shirley, was a teacher and social worker, and his father, Robert, owned the poolroom (The Playhouse) at the end of Main Street and made the best hamburgers in all of Kentucky. He played three sports as a Black Cat, and was well-loved by his friends.

After high school, Henry attended Vanderbilt University, where he worked as a bartender (and played pool and poker) to help pay his way, and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He graduated from Vandy in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and, more importantly, an expanded world view.

Next came law school. It was at the University of Kentucky College of Law that Henry met James E. Keller, his future law partner and life-long friend. Henry completed law school early, in December 1965, and was admitted to practice in 1966. After a very brief stint in Manchester, Kentucky, he returned to Lexington, where he practiced law with Jim Keller, until Keller was appointed to the bench. Their first law firm was Keller, Shuffett, Kenton and Anderson, and A.B. Chandler was senior advisor to the firm. During that decade, from 1966 to 1976, the two achieved great success and much notoriety as litigators. Henry attributed much of their success during these early days to the mentorship of Harry B. Miller, Jr., Judge Nolan Carter, and Nathan Elliott. He liked to think he paid it forward, mentoring a young Jim Lowry, with whom he practiced law for the remainder of his career, and who quickly became a renowned criminal defense attorney in his own right.

Henry continued to practice law, having many high-profile cases until his retirement in 2010. His reputation and success in law did not keep him from other

interests (and vices), which were many. Particularly, he enjoyed golf at Spring Valley with his friends Buford McIntosh, Jack Gallagher and Austin Owen. In those days, he had a routine and was not hard to locate: on Saturday mornings at the Saratoga Restaurant (and later at Roger's Restaurant), on Saturday afternoons at the golf course, during the lunch hour at the Coach House, and on weekday mornings at the Family Affair, where lawyers and judges traded in gossip and lies. He could often be found shooting the breeze in Judge Keller's office at the courthouse, or with his friend Mike Donovan at Wildcat Liquor. Until TVG, he loved going to the simulcast racing at Keeneland and the Red Mile. On Sundays, he was always at home, reading and watching sports. Wherever you found him, he would entertain you. He enjoyed people, enjoyed making them laugh, and was a great storyteller, using hyperbole to make the truth just a bit more fun when necessary. Most of the time, when it came to telling stories about himself, no exaggeration was necessary.

His public persona was outgoing, but at home he was a quiet introvert, who loved country music and reading – and his daughters, Anna and Elizabeth. Henry was a gentle but strict father, who had high expectations of his children. He valued education and made sure his daughters had the opportunities to learn everything possible. Most importantly, he taught them to respect everyone, to be generous and loyal, to tell the truth and to always try to find the humor. In other words, he taught them to live the principles he demonstrated and valued in the practice of law. Upon her graduation from law school, he expected Elizabeth to practice law the same way; she hopes she has and will continue to do so.

His retirement was a blessing, as it enabled him to explore a new, more relaxed, lifestyle, giving in to the more introverted side of his personality. To the great surprise of many, particularly his secretary of thirty years, Susan Jones, he learned to use his iPad to text, email, read the news and bet the horses. He found his greatest joy in his granddaughter Caroline, his canine companion Boris, his monthly dinner club and golfing with friends.

He is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Snow Hughes and Anna Cole Hughes, a granddaughter, Caroline Hughes, and a nephew, Robert Patrick Lessard, as well as his great friend and in-law, Marylou Donovan. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Nancy Hughes Lessard, and his friends James E. Keller and Michael S. Donovan.

Friends are invited to visit with the family at Milward-Broadway on Tuesday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Services will be at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, also at Milward -Broadway. After the service, Anna and Elizabeth hope all will gather to raise a glass and tell "Henry Hughes stories."

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass or the Lexington Humane Society.