Thomas E. McHugh

THOMAS E. McHUGH was born March 26, 1936, in Kanawha County. He was baptized at Sacred Heart Church and was a faithful Christian all his life.
He graduated from Charleston Catholic High School in 1954. He was a 1958 graduate of West Virginia University and a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was a 1964 graduate of West Virginia University College of Law. In law school he was a member of The Order of the Coif, a legal honorary, and was associate editor of the West Virginia Law Review. He served as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1961. He married his wife, Judy on March 14, 1959, almost 66 years ago.
He was a law clerk to West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Harlan Calhoun from 1966 to 1968. He was elected Kanawha County Circuit Judge in 1974, re-elected in 1976, and served as chief circuit judge from 1974 to 1980, when he was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. He was re-elected to a second term in 1992 and retired at the end of 1997. He served as Chief Justice on several occasions. After retirement, he practiced law in Charleston until September 2008, when he was appointed as Senior Status Justice to sit on the Court during Justice Joseph Albright's illness. He continued to serve after Justice Albright's death in March 2009 when then-Governor Joe Manchin appointed him to serve until the 2010 general election. He was elected to serve the rest of Justice Albright's term, which ended December 31, 2012. He then returned to private practice, concentrating on mediation. Justice McHugh served on numerous boards and committees and has received many awards. He had many beloved friends and colleagues.
Tom McHugh was an amazing husband, father, listener and counselor to all family and friends. He and his wife Judith have four children: Karen McHugh (John Morehouse), Cindy McHugh (Mark Henderson), James McHugh (Marianna McHugh), John McHugh (Greta McHugh). Seven Grandchildren: Heather McHugh (Andrew Vandenberg), Kati Whyard (Jordan Whyard), Tom Reckard, Grace McHugh (Tim Rant), Olivia McHugh, Jameson McHugh (Samaria McHugh) and Meredith McHugh. They have two Great Grandchildren: Jackson Whyard and Savanah Whyard. He was preceded in death by his father Paul McHugh and mother, Melba McHugh. He is survived by his sister Sandra Buckalew (Wayne Buckalew), niece Lisa Sayre (Tim Sayre), Great Niece Kerri Canterberry (David Canterberry).
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston, with the Very Rev. Fr. Donald X. Higgs, presider, and with Rev. Mr. Michael Kawash, homilist. Burial will follow with military rights at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar,
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in the Gathering Space at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston, with a prayer service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to West Virginia Health Right, 1520 Washington Street East, #1520, Charleston, WV 25311 or Children's Home Society of West Virginia, 1422 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25301.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.
Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.