Roger Hughes

(From Parker Mortuary)

Roger D. Hughes, 70, of Stella, Mo. passed into eternal rest on February 6, 2018 at his home surrounded by family.

Roger was born on March 13, 1947, in Alpine, Texas, to the late William D. Hughes and Colleen Kohn. He was a 1965 graduate of Joplin Senior High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1971 from Missouri Southern State University.

He was united in marriage with Sandra Kennedy, of Joplin, for 52 years. They raised their children in Joplin and moved in 1972 to Tulsa, Okla., living there until 2012. After retirement, they relocated to McDonald County to enjoy the rolling hills and waterways of the Ozarks.

An avid fisherman, Roger served as president of the Elk River Watershed Improvement Association and taught over 3,000 fifth graders in McDonald County about the benefits of water conservation. He was active with a family-directed, non-profit group supporting children in foster care, promoted higher education through the Crowder College Foundation and served in various leadership roles while attending his church.

While working in Tulsa, he developed an accounting system for Smithco Engineering, served as comptroller for the Flight Safety Co., and was director of telecommunications for Dollar-Thrifty Worldwide Headquarters.

He supported Boy Scouts of America, served on the district level and became a Scout Master in his neighborhood. He received the distinction of a Master Mason on Aug. 22, 1974, at Tulsa’s Brookside Lodge. He was a patriot, believing strongly in God and country, and in the premise that good citizenship could improve the lives of others.

“Rog,” as his friends called him, had many hobbies. He especially enjoyed designing and building his retirement home on Big Sugar Creek and remodeling a century-old, log cabin in Colorado. Hiking Colorado mountains and fishing clear water streams was nearly heaven to him. He will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, love of family and sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, of the home; two children, Shon and Victoria Hughes, of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Holly Hughes, of Ward, Colo.; a sister, Kay and Tom Plaster, of Lenexa, Kan., a brother, Tom and Cecilia Hughes, of Posey, Calif.; a brother-in-law, Wallace L. Kennedy, of Joplin; two grandsons, one granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Sunday, 2:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary, Joplin. Pastor John Mitchell will officiate.

Scholarship donations for teens in foster care may be mailed to “Friends” of Newton and McDonald Counties, Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 1072, Anderson, MO, 64831.

The family is grateful to the dedicated and compassionate nurses and physicians associated with the Freeman Cancer Center and to Hospice Compassus. On-line condolences may be posted at parkermortuary.com.