Patrick Hughes

Patrick is survived by his mother, Loretta Hughes of San Antonio and his wife, Carole Ann Pierce, of Austin. He is preceded in death by his father, Edward Hughes. Other survivors include Larry Hughes of San Antonio, and Les and Karen Hughes of Bulverde, Benenna Jo and James A. Pierce of Austin, James R. Pierce and Diane Harris of Stephenville, and cousins: Carole Arnette, Bonnie Martin, Marsha Sagebiel, Susan Levine, Charles Levine, and Whitney Lee. His loved ones, who celebrate that he is at peace with his creator, dearly miss him.

Leycester Patrick Hughes was born on September 21, 1949 in San Antonio, Texas to Loretta and Edward Hughes and was promptly gifted with blue jeans and his first pair of boots by his grandmother Lulu "Biby" Binder. He graduated from The University of Texas in 1975 with a Master of Arts in History. He began his career at Austin Community College (ACC) as a professor of history in 1977 and retired more than 35 years later. Pat and Carole married by their boat under a full moon in October 1993.

Patrick's excellence in teaching earned recognition for numerous awards throughout the years. He created the ACC Time Machine to escort students to historical sites all around Texas. Later he lectured and sometimes played the guitar while singing folk songs for voluntary lifelong students through UT's Elderhostel program. He also created the ACC Emeritus Professors' Lecture Series as a forum for annual historical presentations on campus for both students and professionals.

Patrick was a truly gifted writer, with articles appearing in prestigious historical publications from all over Texas. He was so inspired by his colleagues in the professional organizations that he became extremely active in and served on many leadership positions himself. Pat's heart was with the Texas Folklore Society, whose members became like his own family, and for whom he served as president in 2009.

Pat also loved Longhorn baseball, Bluegrass music, and deer hunting. He enjoyed being on the land with the wildlife as the seasons changed, and he cherished the time spent visiting with his family in Canyon Lake and with his hunting buddies in Brookesmith. Pat once wrote, "Sitting quietly in a hunting blind in the chill of the pre-dawn dark awaiting sunrise and the start of a new day is good for the soul. I get to listen to the sounds of God's creation rather than my own voice."

The service is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 13th, at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 N Lamar Blvd, in Austin. A reception will follow immediately for all to celebrate Patrick's life. For San Antonio based friends and family, an additional service is scheduled the following day at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 14th, at Woodland Baptist Church, 15315 Huebner Rd, San Antonio.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Texas Folklore Society at this address: The Texas Folklore Society; PO Box 13007 – SFASU; Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3007 or to a charity of your choice. Pat's rich website at ACC can still be accessed at http://www.austincc.edu/lpatrick/Current%20Resume.html.

The family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff at Heartland Health Care Center who shared Pat's last two courageous years and Resolutions Hospice who provided excellent care for both Patrick and his family.