Richard F. Hughes

Funeral services for Richard Francis Hughes, 88, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, held 10:00 AM Thursday at Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Pastor Kent House officiating. Burial will follow in the Fort Gibson National Cemetery with honors provided by the VFW Fifth District Rifle team. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com.

Richard was born September 26, 1929, in Buffalo, New York. He was the son of James M. Hughes and Merta Ann (Stitzinger) Hughes. Dick was raised in New York and Pennsylvania. During his time in school, Dick was very active in football, track, and hockey. Upon his graduation from high school, Dick joined the United States Army. He was initially assigned duty in Germany and was attached to the 43rd Division 184th B Battery of the 103rd Field Army Battalion. Dick served his country later being honorably discharged from Camp Kilmer in New Jersey on February 20, 1953. Upon his return, Dick moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. He furthered his education at the University of Tulsa and walked on the football team. Due to his athletic abilities, Dick was offered a full scholarship. Dick was a four-year letterman and set several records during his time on the squad as a kick returner and halfback. Also, during this time Dick met the love of his life, Freida Mae Findley. The two initially met on a blind date and soon bloomed into more. The two was united in marriage on January 19, 1957, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Following their marriage, Dick and Freida remained in Tulsa, Oklahoma where they raised their two sons. Dick accepted employment with Mobil Oil and later worked for Groendyke Transport as a salesman. Dick also had a small machine shop making couplings and even after retirement Dick wanting to remain active worked at a mail distribution facility until he was 80 years old.
Dick and Freida loved being active running many marathons, riding bikes and watching sports. He also enjoyed helping with coaching duties of kids. Dick was actively sought after to always help out with coaching duties. He always loved doing that he was very honored when previous kids he coached always referred to him in public as Coach Hughes. Dick and Freida also traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada. Some of his favorite places were in Canada, Alaska and especially Hawaii. He always loved to have fun and loved to play practical jokes on others. Dicks favorite food was homemade chocolate ice cream.
Dick passed from this life on Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 88 years.
Survivors are his wife Freida of the home, two children Mark Hughes and his wife Lisa of Hilo, Hawaii, Bill Hughes and his wife Pam of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; three grandchildren Jerusha Leggett and her husband Brandon of Joplin, Missouri, Molly Hughes of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Carly Hughes of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; one great-granddaughter Emma. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by two brothers Ed Hughes and Chuck Hughes.


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