Tempe—David H. Hughes passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Jan. 14, 2018. At age 96 he often spoke of being thankful to see the many changes in the world; from a ride in a Ford Trimotor airplane as a child for 50 cents all the way to witnessing men walking on the moon. David was born in Detroit Michigan on April 13, 1921 to Walter and Lucile Hughes. He served his country during WWII as a Navy Training Specialist, training new recruits in the Navy way of life. He married Leonore (Pinkie) Boomer in 1947 and had 6 beautiful children and they all shared 49 wonderful busy years together. His YMCA career began at a Detroit YMCA manning the youth department desk, handing out equipment, and supervising. He attended George Williams College in Chicago, graduating in 1948 with a degree in Work Group Education. During college he worked part-time for the YMCA in Chicago, which led to a full-time job after graduation as Community Director of The Detroit Y. His career with The Y lasted for 37 years, taking him from Detroit Branch Executive Director to General Director of The Flint Michigan Y in 1963. In 1963 he was offered the job as General Director of the YMCA of Phoenix and Valley of the Sun YMCA, so he packed up his wife and 6 children and headed west. He called this the best move he ever made for both his family and career. He was very proud of the expansion and improvements he made while in Phoenix, such as building branch Y’s in Maryvale, Mesa, Christown, Tempe, and South Mountain. He was a true believer in the YMCA principle of developing young men and women in Christian life to serve others. He was quoted in The Flint Journal when asked in 1957 “why is a YMCA needed” and he said, “Because it builds wholesome friendships which provide the ingredients that form and sustain character” and that “The Y provides participation in family-centered activities, with emphasis on preparation for family life, that help strengthen and sustain the family as the primary unit of character development”. He felt every youth should experience camping, and his time in Phoenix saw many improvements to the SKY Y Camp in Prescott, including the first winterized cabins so the camp could be used year-round, and was instrumental in getting the Chauncey Ranch Camp donated to The Y family. He often spoke of how this would not have been possible without the generous support from so many businesses and leaders in the Phoenix area. In 1976, he moved to Foster City, California and served as the YMCA Regional Executive Director of the Pacific Region until he retired in May of 1984 and returned to the Phoenix area. David believed strongly in attending church and was a member of the Methodist Church his entire life. In 2006, when Pinkie passed away, he was very fortunate to have Janet Miller come into this life. They were married in 2007 at Epworth United Methodist Church with both families in attendance showing their support. Thus began a wonderful second life with Janet; cruising, traveling and attending local functions with friends. He enjoyed retirement to the fullest, traveling and spending time with his 6 children and 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild as well as his new Miller family. In recent years, he loved spending time in Flagstaff in the summer, just watching the rain and enjoying the cool weather. David was preceded in death by his wife Pinkie; oldest son Roger; and sister Audrey Neal. He is survived by his loving wife Janet of 10 years; Roger’s wife Kathy and their children: Kelly and Mike Hughes; son Donald and daughter-in-law Peggy and their children: Christine Hughes and Steven Hughes, Steven’s daughter, Cheyenne Murray; daughter Nancy and son–in–law Randy Morton, Nancy’s daughters: Michelle and Anne Barbera and adopted daughter Rose Dubiel; daughter Barbara Bruno and her children: Nick Bruno and Catie Bruno; daughter Susan Hughes and her son: Matthew Van Loan; and son Larry Hughes and his children: Jamie and Tyler Hughes.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm with reception following on Friday January 19, 2018 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 4802 N. 59th Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85033.
In his memory, the family asks that donations be made in his name to Flagstaff Family YMCA, ATTN: Ken McKnight, 1001 N Turquoise Dr. Flagstaff, Arizona 86001.
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Valley Of The Sun Mortuary & Cemetery in Chandler, Arizona.
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