John Hughes, Senior:  “One of Spartanburg’s Greatest Citizens”

I wish I had known John Hughes.

John Patrick Hughes, Senior.

Usually, if I write an article (or “blog,” in this case) about someone, I knew them and have memories or mutual adventures to share.

That’s not the case with John Hughes.

But I’ve had help tonight from his daughter, Jane Warner.  Jane and I got to know each other, first through her work with Special Olympics, then when she joined the City of Spartanburg Festival and Events Office.  We both love music, and Jane has included my band in Music on Main and other events sponsored by the city.

Our conversation tonight was bittersweet.

Jane told me a beautiful love story about her late dad.

How he loved his wife, his children and his community.

Jane’s dad passed away unexpectedly at his home last evening (10/22) of heart failure.  He was 87 years old.

John and his wife (Jane) were married 62 years.  She called him her “boyfriend.”

Many people knew him through the former family business “Pic-A-Book,” which kept local imaginations humming for 35 years.

Countless others knew him through his decades of public service and benefited from his community work.

John Hughes, Sr. gave generously of his time to the Boy Scouts, serving as chairman of the Palmetto Council.  He chaired the United Way.  He chaired the Spartanburg Housing Authority.  He was Rotary Club District Governor.

Through his example, he taught his children the virtues of public service.  Ever since I’ve known her, daughter Jane has always seemed to be wearing several hats, all of them for great community causes.  “I came by it honestly,” Jane told me.

Jane’s City of Spartanburg coworker Mandy Merck called John Hughes, Sr. “one of Spartanburg’s greatest citizens.”  Sounds like a proper description to me.

Thank you, John Patrick Hughes, Senior, for all you did to keep Spartanburg moving forward and for the wonderful legacy you leave.  It lives through your family and the many other families touched by your servant attitude.