T.J. Hughes

Thomas J. (T.J.) Hughes born December 29, 1928, passed away peacefully October 12, 2022 at the age of 93.
He is predeceased in death and joined the ancestral ranks with his parents, Hattie and Bill Hughes and a brother James Kaxtas Hughes.
He is survived by his sister, Ophelia Skillern, a brother LeRoy Hughes and a sister and brother-in-law Frances and Richard Robbins. He is also survived by two nieces, three nephews, a great-nephew, a great-niece and four great-great-nephews.
T J was a life time resident of Hot Springs. Upon graduation from Hot Springs High School he attended Henderson State Teachers College. He served in the United States National Reserve which took him abroad the U.S.S. Haas to San Juan, Puerto Rico. At the completion of that service he was awarded a testimonial of honest, faithful, and excellent service from the U.S. Navy.
He enjoyed exploring new entrepreneurial endeavors one of which was a big equipment business owned and operated by him and his brother-in-law, Stanley Skillern. His real love was talking and being involved in local politics. He was elected Justice of the Peace. TJ enjoyed campaigning for numerous candidates in the county that shared his politics, issues he thought benefitted Garland County. He was well known in the court house where he had many friends and where he worked for several lawyers. He got genuine pleasure from helping people, especially older folks that needed assistance.
A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 17th at Lowe Cemetery where numerous relatives are buried, including his paternal grandparents that go back 140 years.
Pallbearers will be David Hickey, Ed Cornell, David Cornell, Paul Robbins, Mark Robbins and Richard Robbins.