Richard D. Hughes

Richard “Dick” Hughes, 82, of Blue Springs, passed away on Sunday morning, December 5, 2021. He was born December 29, 1938 to Royal Rea and Myrtle Hannah (Pennington) Hughes in Iowa City, Iowa. He was the fifth of five children and dearly loved his brothers and sisters: Deloris, Donald “Doc”, Chuck, and Donna. Dick was married to the love of his life, Barbara Rose Loyd, on May 28, 1966. Together, they raised three children, Michelle Knox, Annette Hughes, and Bradley Hughes. Dick is survived by his wife and children, as well as his five grandchildren: Ellen Reid, Eric Reid, Alexandria Hughes, Julia Hughes, and Tyler Hughes.

Dick graduated from West Aurora High School, Illinois and went on to Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa where he earned an associate’s degree in physical education and a bachelor’s degree in religion / physical education. He later earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and spent two years in the Ph. D. program for Religion at the University of Iowa.

He took a break from college, married Barbara and moved to Dallas, Texas, where he worked as a manufacturing engineer at Texas Instruments. He then went on to be an appointee minister in Los Angeles, California. Dick later moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, where he was the campus minister / pastor at Central Missouri State University and earned his Ed.S. degree in higher education. After that, he moved to Michigan and earned his Ed.D in community and higher education from Western Michigan University where he was a Mott Fellow. His dissertation was published and the proceeds were enough to cover the down payment of his first home in Blue Springs, Missouri, where settled and remained in the community the rest of his life.

He worked for the R. L. D. S. church (later became Community of Christ) for 38 years. Dick also taught courses at Longview Community College and was the keynote speaker at his children’s high school graduations. While living in Blue Springs, he was executive minister, Christian education department, commissioner, Pastoral Services Commission, director, program services division, president, Santa Fe Stake and Pastor, Stone Church until he retired. Once retired, Dick became an avid member of the Walnut Gardens Congregation.

Dick was a member of the Optimist Club and enjoyed jogging, photography, woodworking, and spending time with family. He was the consummate social animal, and loved sharing stories with friends and family. He made an impact on so many lives and remained in contact with them until his passing. He was a big fan of the Chiefs, Royals and KU basketball.

A Celebration of Life to honor Dick will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 1:00 p.m., with a visitation to follow, at 2:00 p.m., both at Walnut Gardens Community of Christ Church, 19201 E. R. D. Mize Rd., Independence, MO 64057. In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations to be made to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Rd., Kansas City, MO 64137. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Chapel 816-373-3600)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬