Clifton D. "Bear" Hughes Jr.

Clifton D. "Bear" Hughes Jr., age 82, of Appleton passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife, Tracy by his side on Saturday, December 28, 2024.
Cliff was born on February 24, 1942 to the late Clifton and Nellie (DeBruin) Hughes, Sr. in Appleton. Cliff and his siblings loved to share stories about growing up in Appleton. They loved making memories at the family's cottage on Green Lake near Mountain, WI. Cliff graduated from St. Mary's High School in Menasha with the class of 1960. Cliff married his first wife, Patricia Wadie, on September 2, 1961. She preceded him in death in 1965. He married his second wife, Ione (Schwerke) Barrington, on April 8, 1967. Together they raised seven children. She preceded him in death in 1998.
Cliff met the love of his life, Tracy Plamann. They were married on March 19, 1994 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. They enjoyed over 30 years together. Over the years Cliff worked at Schabo Concrete, owned and operated C.I. Hughes, Inc. After closing his business he worked for Lincoln Contractors, Jim Fischer Inc., and Packer City International.
Cliff enjoyed watching the Packers and NASCAR races. He enjoyed having a beautiful lawn and taking care of his vegetable gardens. He loved sharing his vegetables with family and friends. Cliff and Tracy enjoyed traveling to many U.S. States, National Parks, and NASCAR racetracks. Cliff especially enjoyed their trip to Alaska. He also enjoyed going to the snowmobile races, feeding the orioles grape jelly, and having breakfast with his buddies at The Golden Basket and Damn Yankees.
Cliff was a hard working, funny, generous, loving and caring man. He instilled those qualities in all of his children. Cliff is survived by his loving wife Tracy; his seven children: a son, Tim (Heidi) Barrington; daughters: Laurie Hughes, Julie (Kevin) Keyes, Tammy (Steve) Harlow, Sarah (Jay) Parmeter, Kelly (Brian) Schmall, Dawn (special friend Jeff) Hughes; grandchildren: Jessica (Cole) Thompson, Brock (Angela) Barrington, Quinn (Katie) Barrington, Sydney (Clinton) Lagace, Hannah (Andrew) Cardosi, Bryce (special friend Mackenzie) Harlow, Mackenzie (Joe) Ziebarth, Kaitlyn (Toni) Rhames, Jacob (Lexi) Keyes, Daniel Keyes, Elliot (Nicole) Eichinger, Lukas (Chelsea) Eichinger, Andrew Eichinger, Luke (Caitlin) Parmeter, Sr. Maria Caeli Parmeter, Zachary Schmall, Brandon (special friend Maddie) Schmall, James (Laura) Frelich, Michael Frelich; great-grandchildren: Jase, Finn, Gus, Willow, Oaklyn, Cole, Audrey, Olivia, Elise, Ada, Logan, Claire, Emilia, and a baby due in May, 2025; siblings: Vivian Hughes, Mary Jane Harp, Helen (Delmar) Mueller, Patrick (Connie) Hughes, Kathy Kamba; Tracy's siblings: Michael (Terrie) Plamann, Mark (Carol) Plamann, Gregory (Brenda) Plamann, Keith (Kathy) Plamann; many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother-in-law; his sister, Shirley Collar; a grandson, Nicholas Eichinger; brothers-in-law: Reinhold Harp, Milton Collar, Steve Kamba.
Funeral services for Cliff will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (N1615 Meadowview Dr., Greenville) with Rev. Chad Starfeldt officiating. Friends and family will gather at the church on Monday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Park, Appleton. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Cliff's name.
The family would like to thank Dr. Harsha Poola and his team at ThedaCare Cancer Center and the ThedaCare at Home Hospice team, especially Matt, for their excellent and compassionate care.
We love and miss you, Your loving family
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