DR. LARRY W. HUGHES

1931-2018

Dr. Larry W. Hughes, age 87, passed away December 26, 2018 in Houston. A Houston resident for the last 41 years, Larry previously lived in Knoxville, Tennessee and various towns in Ohio and Michigan. He was born in Corning, Ohio on March 12, 1931 to Arthur and Helen (Turner) Hughes and grew up in Toledo, Ohio, where he met his wife, Phyllis (Selter). Larry and Phyllis were married on March 28, 1953.

Larry was professor of educational leadership at the University of Houston, where he also served as department chair and associate dean. Prior to coming to Houston, he was a professor at the University of Tennessee and before that a superintendent of schools and high school principal and teacher. Larry earned a Ph.D. at the Ohio State University. An ardent, lifelong believer in the importance and value of strong schools, Larry authored multiple books and dozens of scholarly articles on school administration and related topics. Larry also published articles in various travel magazines, sharing with others his passion for traveling in the U.S. and abroad.

Larry leaves behind his wife of 65 years Phyllis, sons Kevin (Knoxville, TN), Doug (Okemos, MI), David and daughter-in-law Lori (Allbright) (New Braunfels, TX), sister Sharon and brotherin-law Luis Pena (Fremont, OH), grandchildren Kymberli (Nyberg), Scott, Ashley, Rebecca, and John, plus an extended network of family and friends.

Known to earliest friends by the school nickname “Tex,” Larry traveled the world by air, road, rail, and water on business and pleasure, often in the company of his loving spouse Phyllis. His curiosity about other lands and peoples was incessant; his kindness, compassion, and sense of humor were equally constant. To his family’s delight, Larry chronicled many of his journeys and remembrances. He read widely for both information and entertainment and was always ready to share the plot of a novel or the melody of a favorite Broadway show tune.

A man of far-reaching accomplishments, an excellent conversationalist and debater, Larry embodied true humility. Of his many gifts, his ability to lighten the mood with a perfectly-timed self-deprecating quip will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will take place on January 20, 2019 at two o’clock in the afternoon at the BradshawCarter Memorial and Funeral Home, 1734 W Alabama St., Houston, TX 77098.

In his honor, donations may be made to the Larry & Phyllis Hughes Award for Leadership Studies at the University of Houston (HE20733RN).