Gary J. (Razz) Hughes entered eternal rest at 7:07 pm, on March 19, 2025, following a 14-year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He died at home peacefully with his wife by his side.
Gary was the oldest of five children, born to David and Mary (Putnam) Hughes on November 22, 1940, at South Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio. He was a 1959 graduate of Danville High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He was raised without his Father present, but he learned on his own to be an excellent swimmer and he loved to sled ride, fish, hunt, trap and camp out with his Brinkhaven buddies.
Gary often talked about the big game trips he made to Wyoming, and he has many game souvenirs.
During his summers as a teen, he was a counselor at Camp Fitch on the shores of Lake Erie. At the beginning of his senior high school year, his family had to make an emergency move to Massillon, Ohio. He was very unhappy with the move, and after much thought, he left his home and hitch-hiked back to Danville where he was welcomed by a local family who gave him a place to live so he could play sports and graduate from his beloved DHS. Shortly after returning from his senior trip, he started his 46-year career at Mansfield Plumbing Products.
Gary was a quiet sort of man, fully committed to serving God, and he never said an unkind word against anyone. He loved helping people anonymously. Most of his life, he was an avid golfer until his declining health and use of Oxygen made it impossible. He never missed a televised PGA match if he could help it, and he always had a favorite golfer! Gary loved nice clothes and loved to go shopping. He attended Hopewell United Methodist Church when he was physically able and was a member of The Apple Valley Senior Golfers League, National Rifle Association, Ohio Gun Collectors Assoc., Johnny Appleseed Knife Collectors, and The Optimist Club of Mansfield.
Gary is survived by Shirley, his caregiver and loving wife of 26 years, sons Kyle (Val) and Keith Hughes of Danville, Matthew (Angie)Hughes of Lancaster, foster son Kevin Durbin of Danville. five grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, sister Charlotte (Joe) Gardner of Georgia, Ann (Art) Mizer of Mount Vernon, brother Don (Marilyn) Harrison of Youngstown, stepson Rich (Janet) Hiles of Kansas City, two step-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Colleen Brokaw of Mount Vernon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Steve, his beloved uncle Gordon Harrison, aunts and uncles.
There will be a graveside service on Monday, March 24, 2025, 11:00 am at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens, officiated by Chaplain Richard Jones.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gentiva Hospice or the charity of your choice.
The Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel is handling the services for the Hughes family.
To express a condolence to the family, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com