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•OATHA (SKIP) E.
Skip passed away at home on January 4, 2024. He had a strong will, but succumbed to the devastating effects of dementia.
He was born on July 8, 1949, to Oatha and Carmen Hughes in Toledo. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandfather, Oatha E. Hughes Sr.; brothers, Duane and Donald Hughes, and sister, Etta Williams.
Skip participated and loved many sports including golf, softball, fishing, bowling and darts. He was agile and gifted. His softball team members were lifelong friends and they were proud to win the Toledo Metro, Class B tournament, undefeated. The following quote from Sports Beat references the tournament, “All good offenses start at the top and left center fielder Skip Hughes showed his teammates the way by hitting .750 for the tournament, including one incredible stretch when he had 11 consecutive bats.”
He was a journeyman roofer, Local 134, and roofed until 1995 when an equipment malfunction ended his roofing career. After retiring as roofing foreman, he became the plumbing specialist at Lowe’s until he retired in 2014. With his strong work ethic, he took a delivery position with O’Reilly until his dementia symptoms interfered.
Skip leaves behind his wife, Susan, of 48 years; his daughters, Dawn (Brett) Gruenke, Heather (Frank) Milsten, Kelly Young, Tammy Dart and Tiffanie Brown; son, Steve (Elizabeth) Hughes; sisters, Pat (Fred) Kirk, Melody (Dave) Rodriguez, Luann (Jody) Neal and Cindy Gonyer; stepmom, Judy Hughes, grandchildren, Michael and Austin McCoy, Brandon Brass, Frankie Milsten, Avrielle Brown, Carlie and Owen Hughes, Joe Cobb, and several great-grandchildren.
Skip was easy-going, outgoing, generous and loved the time he spent in Myrtle Beach. We will celebrate his life on Thursday, February 1, at the lodge at Strawberry Park, Holland, with a memory service at 4 p.m., followed with dinner. All family and friends are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Memory Lane Care Services.
“Not all who wander are lost.”
