Murdoch Alfred Hughes

Murdoch Alfred Hughes, died peacefully at home with Jan Olsen, his wife of 51 years, holding his hand and his dogs cuddled on his lap. He had been valiantly fighting cancer for going on 4 years and was ready to transition. Born April 5, 1944, in Owendale, Michigan to Lloyd and Jewel Hughes he grew up on the Michigan farm and was the eldest boy of 5 siblings (Deanna, Dale, Alan and Vonalee). After serving four years in the Air Force, in Montana and Okinawa, he returned to Michigan to study Political Science and Creative Writing at Michigan State University. He later transitioned west to Washington State where he met Jan, and is survived by his sons, Orion Hughes (Seattle, Washington) and Patrick Hughes (San Bernardino, California).

Murdoch, always a creative writer at heart, wrote award winning mysteries and was a shining light, mentor, activist and adventurer. He did Bering Sea crab fishing, was the Chief Engineer at Universal Seafoods in Dutch Harbor Alaska. He and Jan lived aboard and sailed the sloop Hunter Star in Alaska and from Washington to Mexico where they lived for 7 years in Laz Paz, BCS, MX, and sailing the Sea of Cortez.

After returning to Washington his passions were writing, flying paragliders, hiking, camping and acting as Santa Claus for Volunteers of America’s children and clients. He has chosen cremation and there will be a celebration of life on a favorite mountain top, sometime in the future. In lieu of flowers or plants please donate to VOAWW or Fred Hutch dedicated in Murdoch’s name.

VOAWW https://www.voaww.org/donate and Fred Hutch https://www.fredhutch.org/en.html