Leon Loyd Hughes

Class of 1955

1955 Maroon SpotlightLeon Hughes
Leon Hughes

Football 51-55, Basketball 51-53, Wrestling 54-55.

Leon Loyd Hughes

November 16, 1937 – December 4, 2018

Leon Loyd Hughes, Sr. longtime resident of Perry passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday evening, December 4, 2018 at Perry Memorial Hospital in Perry. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Perry.

Visitation will be Monday, December 10, 2018 from 9AM to 5PM and Tuesday, December 11, 2018 from 9AM to 8PM with family greeting guests from 5PM to 7PM. Funeral services will be 1PM Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at First Christian Church in Perry with Pastor Josh Bell and Paul Dawson officiating. Interment will follow at Sumner Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Justin Hughes, Jordan Hughes, Ryan Hickman, Jarron Davis, Clay Morris, Jeff Perkins, John Edgar, and Adam McKinzie. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Kirtley, Bill Newton, Marvin (Bud) Jirous, Jim Sim, Don Keating, Dr. Michael Hartwig, Hank Geisinger, Tom Shireman, Jerry Presley, Mike Wilda, Lyle Jerome, Duane Durkee, Bill DeJager, Dr. Gary Evans, Ray Kukuk, Jim Smith, Larrie Rice ,Jarrod Mathews, Leonard Branen, Logan Drury and Robert “Bird Dog” Ritthaler.

Leon was born November 16, 1937 in Lucien, OK, to Kenneth Herbert and Mildred Carolyn (Bowers) Hughes. He grew up in Perry where he attended Perry Public Schools and graduated a Perry Maroon in 1955. “Perry Pride”, that’s what Leon was all about! Since being an avid sports fan, he loved wrestling, football, and basketball. He took pride in being a Perry Maroon since early childhood.

Specialist 4th Class Hughes served six years with the United States Army National Guard in the 45th Infantry Division. He was stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and Fort Ord, California. His favorite stories were of driving for General David Matthews and Company Commanding Officer Rex Edgar while wearing Edgar’s uniform and having soldiers salute him.

Leon worked for CMW and Ed Malzahn when he was in high school when the location was at the current Heritage Center. He then was employed in the Oil Patch and ODOT, returning to CMW where he worked for 37 years. He had great respect for Ed Malzahn and his company.

On June 7, 1962 Leon married Norma R. Sneed in Perry where they made their home for the next 56 years working and raising their family.

Since his senior year in HS, Leon has been a member of First Christian Church of Perry for 63 years. During his younger years he served as Deacon and then head usher and drove the church van for years picking up children and senior citizens to attend worship. He also served on the Property Committee for a few years as well.

He is survived by his wife Norma of the home; son, Leon L. Hughes, Jr. and wife Kimberly of Edmond, OK; two daughters, Robyn Renee Drury and husband Dewayne of Stillwater, OK, and Brooke A’Leen Davis and husband Marcus of Perry, OK; grandchildren, Justin Kenneth Hughes, Jordan Don Hughes, Ryan Hickman, Logan Rae Drury, and Jarron Anthony Davis; two sisters, Vickie Sue Morris and husband Patrick of Norman, OK, and Donna Ruth Hill and husband Fred of Warr Acres, OK; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. Leon was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Wesley Ray Hughes.

Memorial donations may be made to the Leon L. Hughes, Sr. Wrestling Memorial Scholarship in c/o Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Perry, Ok, 73077.