John Michael Hughes, 83
On Sept. 23, 2021, John Michael Hughes passed away peacefully in Polson.
John was born in Albuquerque, N.M., on Sept. 11, 1938. Until age 2, John lived with his mother, Ruby, father Ivan and sister Margaret Ellen Hughes (Peggy Wilson) in a lumber camp near Jemez Pueblo. In 1940 the family moved to California. Initially, the family resided in Marysville, and then moved to Foresthill.
In 1942, John’s father and his brothers opened Hughes Brothers Lumber Co. in Foresthill. John attended Foresthill Elementary for eight years and then attended high school at San Rafael Military Academy in San Rafael, Calif., graduating in 1956.
After high school, John went to work at Hughes Brothers Lumber Co. He married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Louise Stewart, on Jan. 18, 1959. After getting married, and with Sharon’s encouragement, John went back to school, first attending Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) in Boise.
Oldest daughter Kirsten Ellen,was born in Boise on Dec. 2, 1959. In 1960 John moved with his young family to Moscow, Idaho. John studied forestry at the University of Idaho, attended forestry summer camp in McCall, Idaho, and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1962. Daughter Janine Louise was born Aug. 29, 1961 in Roseville, Calif. John then went to work for Simpson Redwood Co., and the family lived in a remote company cabin in Redwood Creek, Calif.
In the fall of 1962 John attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., for graduate studies in wildland management. In 1963 John received his first appointment with the U.S. Forest Service and moved his family to Forks, Wash. Son Ryan Michael was born Sept. 11, 1964, and youngest daughter Laura Anne was born Sept. 1, 1966 in Port Angeles, Wash., which was the closest hospital located nearly 60 miles from Forks.
John and his family then moved to various district and forest staff assignments on the Umpqua and Siuslaw national forests in Oregon. In 1974 John was appointed district ranger of the Illinois Valley District in Cave Junction, Ore. In 1976 John was appointed district ranger of the Baker Ranger District in Baker, Ore. In 1977 the family moved to Portland, where John served as regional silviculturist for the Pacific Northwest region. In 1981 through 1985, John served as forest supervisor of the Stikine Area of the Tongas National Forest in Petersburg, Alaska.
After that John served from 1985-86 in the Washington, D.C. office of the U.S. Forest Service on the Alaska desk to assist with congressional actions affecting the Alaska region. In 1986 John was assigned to the timber staff for the Northern Region in Missoula. He was assigned deputy regional forester for the Northern Region in 1990 and worked in that position until his retirement in 1996. During this time, John was temporarily assigned to the St. Louis Botanical Gardens in St. Louis, Mo. while Sharon waited for a lung transplant. John and Sharon stayed in St. Louis until Sharon received her transplant in 1993. Sharon passed away in 2000.
After his retirement, John was a California-registered professional forester and managed the family tree farm in Foresthill until it was sold in 2021. John met Linda Purtell Kohler, and John and Linda were married June 29, 2002. Linda and John were great partners who enjoyed many adventures together.
John was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016, and the lower lobe of his right lung was removed. John battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was in and out of hospitals, but Linda made it possible for him to spend as much time as possible at home. John always said he had a good life, he was raised by good parents, and he grew up during a good time. Throughout his life he enjoyed outdoor activities including family hiking and camping trips, large game and bird hunting, fishing, golfing and boating. He also loved baseball, dogs, horses, kids and Maker’s Mark.
John was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Sharon. He is survived and will be missed by many family members and good friends including his wife, Linda Hughes; children Kirsten Bowers (David), Janine Voll (Jim), Ryan Hughes and Laura Tucciarone (Tom); grandchildren Henry David Bowers, Hannah Janine Bowers, Esme Louise Tucciarone and Mara Josephine Tucciarone; and sister Peggy Hughes Wilson.
A family memorial will be held at a later date. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
