Obituary for Gary Hughes

Gary Curtis Hughes

April 24, 1945 – August 26, 2018

Gary Curtis Hughes passed away on the evening of August 26, 2018 in Ponca City. His death was a result of extensive complications and repeated infections secondary to a hip replacement surgery.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Janet Moore Hughes, of Ponca City, his older daughter, Dr. Donna G. Hughes, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist of Houston, Texas, and his younger daughter, The Rev. Dr. and Air Force Colonel Jennifer L. Hughes, of Williamsburg, Virginia. He is also survived by his father, Paul C. Hughes, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and his brother, Larry V. Hughes, of Sachse, Texas. He was preceded in death by his youngest brother, Dr. Robert A. Hughes and his mother, Genevieve Vernon Hughes.

Gary was born on April 24, 1945 to Paul and Genevieve Hughes in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was older brother to Larry Hughes and Robert Hughes. Gary grew up in Tulsa, graduating from East Central High School in 1963. While at East Central, Gary and Janet went on their first date to the 9th grade dance. They started going steady during high school and were later married on August 14, 1965 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gary played football for the University of Tulsa during his freshman year of college and then transferred to Oklahoma State University his sophomore year to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. He went on to graduate from OSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in August 1967. Straight out of college, Gary and Janet moved to Ponca City with their first baby just born, and Gary started his career with Conoco as a Process Engineer. Gary went on to have an over 45-year career with Conoco (later Conoco-Phillips), and then ended his last few years of his career with Bechtel, after they acquired his technology group. Over the course of his career, Gary’s various jobs with Conoco took the family to Tokyo, Japan; London, England; Louth, England; Billings, Montana; and back full circle to Ponca City, OK. In the last couple decades of his career, Gary became known as a worldwide expert in Coking Technology. Due his expertise, he consulted around the world in Russia, Brazil, Croatia, Malaysia, India, and Germany as well as many other places. Throughout his life, Gary worked hard and played hard. He loved his wife and family, and he was ever a dedicated provider. Gary always enjoyed movies/concerts with Janet, OSU sporting events with his friends, hunting bobwhite quail with his English Pointers, and world travel.

The funeral ceremony and memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Ponca City. A reception will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gary’s name to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1904 N Pecan Rd, Ponca City, OK 74604.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Source: Trout Funeral Home