Richard Matthew Hughes

“And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light,” Welsh poet Dylan Thomas said in his poem “Do Not Go Gentle Good Night” in 1951. Richard (Rick) Matthew Hughes, was born on July 27, 1958, to Harold Richard Hughes, Mansfield, OH, and Ruth E. Myers, Mansfield, OH. He went to be with his Lord on March 5, 2022, surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer. Rick is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Sheri Ann (Wigal), his children, Megan (Jason) Williams, Dylan (Ashley) Hughes, Jake Hughes, grandchildren, Halle, Cali, Harper and Houston, his mother, mother-in-law Carol Wigal, and close cousins Lynn (Craig) Bridges, John (Patty) Golden. Rick graduated from Madison High School in 1976. He and his wife married May 16, 1986, and raised their family in Lucas, Ohio. After working 15 years at Crane Plumbing, he attended Marion Technical College where he graduated in 2007, with Honors, as a member of Phi Theta Kappa, with his Associates of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. His love of history and passion for learning continued throughout his life, a trait he passed on to his children and shared with his wife. He and his wife raised their family in Lucas, Ohio. Rick loved his little community and was highly involved. He served as a village council member, and he and his wife were members of the Lion’s Club. He enjoyed years as a soccer coach for all three of his children. Rick always encouraged his children to pursue their passion for the arts and became a volunteer at Richland Academy where he assisted with set design for theater productions. He was also a proud CASA Advocate and involved in the Boy Scouts. Rick was a Godly man and loved the Lord. He and his family were members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lucas, OH. He was a member of the church council and even did a brief stint in the choir, until his children kindly encouraged him to quit. He most enjoyed serving as a youth leader to his children and their peers and taking them on mission trips and other fun adventures. He was a very patriotic man who loved his country. He was a member of the NRA, a fervent 2nd Amendment supporter and avid gun collector. Rick taught his children gun safety and instilled in them love of God and Country. He was the proud son of a veteran and even prouder father of a veteran. Rick was an adventurer who loved the outdoors and enjoyed skiing, hiking, climbing and spelunking. We shared many family adventures hiking, canoeing, and camping. Except for the time we stayed in a teepee, it was not as cool as he thought it would be. He planned most family vacations around historical sites, especially those pertaining to the Civil War. He was an ardent reader and enjoyed science fiction and fantasy. He loved Rock’n’roll and shared his love of good music with his children. He and his wife enjoyed going on trips together and taking their grandchildren to the zoo. Rick’s proudest accomplishment was his children. He supported and loved them and found his greatest joy in their successes. He was a proud Bubba to his four grandchildren and enjoyed being silly and going on adventures. The family invites you to join us for a celebration of life on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Richland Academy of the Arts, 75 N. Walnut St. Mansfield, OH, 44902, at 2:00 pm. This event will be casual and we encourage friends and family to join us in celebrating all things Rick. Contribution to Rick's memory can be made to Hospice of Central Ohio at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Donations can be left with the family or made online here: https://www.hospiceofcentralohio Thank you for your help and support.