Thomas Ray Hughes

Thomas Ray Hughes was born June 22, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas, to Harry and Lucille Hughes. His happiest childhood memories included spending summers at his uncle’s ranch in Colorado and figuring out new ways to irritate his two sisters. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1958 and married the love of his life, Billie Frances Heckel, in July 1961. They were married for 63 years and “had a ball” raising their two boys, Rick and Michael. Tom was an outstanding businessman-he began his career working for a man who was selling tools out of the trunk of his car. Tom eventually bought that business and grew it to be the largest independently owned industrial supply in Oklahoma City- KP Supply. He was a hard-working, kind and generous boss and considered his co-workers, employees, customers and suppliers his extended family. He took pride in running his company and considered it one of the pinnacle achievements of his life. He served on many advisory boards and traveled all over the world to visit and consult with manufacturers, earning the admiration of many and developing lifelong friendships in the process. Tom was a Christian and an avid student of the Bible. He and Billie were adamant about serving wherever they could in church, and their Thursday night Bible study group was a staple in numerous lives for many, many years. He cherished his sons and supported them in all of their crazy adventures, from wrestling to musical pursuits to rattlesnake hunting. Tom never missed an opportunity to invite people into his home and was happiest when he had a full house – whether it was a birthday party, a holiday celebration, or just welcoming a friend or a family that needed a place to stay. He was a second father to numerous kids and spent countless evenings and weekends working on other peoples’ cars. He excelled at giving his time, wisdom, and energy to the people he loved and making sure they felt important, smart, and cherished. He adored his granddaughters and delighted in spending time with them and gifting them experiences, such as traveling to places where the entire family could play in the ocean and explore God’s creation. Tom was an “all-in” kind of man. He did nothing less than one hundred percent, whether it was his marriage, teaching his sons, spoiling his granddaughters, teasing his sisters, running his business, restoring his old tractor, attaining the 32nd degree as a Mason, or even just relaxing with friends- he did it wholeheartedly. Tommy lived his life with purpose, passion, integrity, humility, and gratitude.

On November 29, 2024, he got to meet Jesus, his Lord and Savior, face to face. We know that he is truly, wholeheartedly celebrating now.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 63 years Billie Frances Hughes, and his son Michael Ray Hughes. He is survived by his son Rick Hughes and wife Angela, his granddaughters Cora Ann Eddy and husband Koultan, Kyla Joy Koehn and husband Joshua, Hannah Beth Kunkel and husband Declan, and Kaylee Ray Hughes, his sisters Donna Charles and Glenda Brady, and by cousins, nieces, nephews, and great many friends.

A visitation for Tom will be held Monday, December 2, 2024, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73162, and a service held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home. Tom will be laid to rest next to his wife, Billie Hughes at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation towards a tree in honor of Tom to Precure Nursery and Garden Center, 8125 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73127, 405-789-4930.