(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)
Jeffery (Jeff) Allan Hughey, age 72, of Joplin, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.
Jeff was born on September 15, 1953, to Eugene and Anna Mae (Cerny) Hughey. Jeff graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1971 and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Baker University in Kansas. He completed a master’s degree in history at Pittsburg State University.
Jeff Hughey and Mary Zook married on December 28, 1978, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Larned, KS, and to this union brought five children.
Jeff’s love of history was not only reflected in his education, but also in the way he shared it with others. He spent seven years as a high school history teacher at Parkwood High School (later Joplin High School), where he made lessons memorable and engaging by sharing Civil War artifacts and clothing from his own research collection. After his years in education, Jeff built a long and respected career with Leggett & Platt, where he worked in Human Resources from 1985 until he retired in 2015. During that time, he valued the opportunity to travel internationally, and he appreciated the experiences and people he encountered along the way.
Faith and fellowship were important parts of Jeff’s life. He was a 20-year member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, and past Grand Knight, of the St. Mary’s Council. He volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul of St. Mary’s and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, giving his time and energy to organizations that supported people in meaningful ways.
He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. He enjoyed participating in Civil War living history events around the country. Above all, Jeff loved his family. He found his greatest joy in being a father and in spending time with his children and grandchildren. In retirement, he embraced his role as “Nanny Grandpa” to his grandchildren. He especially treasured the opportunity to travel with Mary across the country to visit their children in different cities. Jeff will be remembered for the lasting impact he made as a teacher, professional, volunteer, and family man.
In addition to his parents, Jeff was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Eleanor Lee Ashley.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Mary Hughey; five children, Sarah Kepnick and husband, George, Amanda Ashley and husband, Dan, Courtney McCarty and husband, Kevin, Christopher Hughey and wife, Jessie, and Emily Hughey and fiancé, Shpat Alili; four grandchildren, Edison Ashley, Sadie Ashley, Robin Kepnick, and Addilyn Hughey; and one brother, Randy Hughey and wife, Cyndy, along with niece Jennifer Taylor, nephew Kyle Hughey, and their families.
Memorial donations can be made out to St. Vincent de Paul of St. Mary’s or Knights of Columbus of St. Mary’s.
Rosary will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a Funeral Mass to follow at 10:00 a.m. with Father Joe Weidenbenner officiating. Interment to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the special care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.
So sorry to hear. Condolences to the family. I worked with him at Leggett for many years.
ReplyDeleteJeff Hughey was, in every way, a consistently good person. We knew him mostly from his consistently excellent work. He was bright, competent, pleasant, and loyal in all the appropriate ways.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I also knew Jeff, Mary, and some of the Hughey “kids.” They were and are considerate, excellent people,
A good man, a good family, and fine neighbors.
Thank you, Jeff, for your good life. The world was a better place with you in it.
John & Carolyn Hale