Harold Patrick Hughes, 85

Harold Patrick Hughes passed away peacefully Feb. 21, 2025, in Polson, where he spent the final 45 years of his 85-year life.

Harold was born into the Irish Catholic family of Lawrence and Pauline (O’Leary) Hughes July 26, 1939, in Benson, Minn., the third eldest of five children. The Hughes family moved to Williston, N.D., when Harold was 8 years old. No strangers to hard work or hard times, the Hughes family spent a few North Dakota winters in a house without indoor plumbing. 

Harold participated in football, basketball and baseball during his youth and at Williston High School. After serving his country in the U.S. Army, he attended and played football at North Dakota State University.

On Aug. 18, 1962, Harold began his most cherished vocation of building a family, as he married the girl next door, Patricia Ann (Gauthier) Hughes. During their 63 years of marriage, he participated in every aspect of his children’s and grandchildren’s life: coaching, attending and supporting events in football, baseball, rodeo, wrestling, hockey, 4H livestock and track. Harold loved to see his children and grandchildren learn life’s lessons from competition. 

He had a strong devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and devoutly attend the Catholic Church his entire life.

Harold spent 17 years as a high school math teacher and a football coach. While building a family, he also was tirelessly building a football program in Fairview, Mont., and then in Columbia Falls.

Harold was instrumental in establishing a state-of-the-art weight room during his time in Columbia Falls. His teams routinely challenged for conference championships and played in the state final in 1970 against Havre. While his teams were successful on the scoreboard, his most meaningful accomplishment was the positive effect he had on so many of his players.

In 1980, Harold and Patricia transitioned full-time into cattle ranching in Polson. Undeterred by operating loans with 19% interest rates, they set out to build a top notch registered Red Angus cattle herd. 

Over the next 45 years, they succeeded by every criterion imaginable, selling seedstock to producers both nationally and internationally, and instilling a love of the land which will be carried on by sons, grandsons and granddaughters. As in all of his other endeavors, Harold was respected by all of his colleagues in the Red Angus Breed serving as the president of both the Montana Red Angus Association and the National Red Angus Associations. 

In addition to Harold’s service in the U.S. Army and the Red Angus breed, he also served on the Polson school board and the Immaculate Conception church council.

Harold was preceded in death by his daughter, Teri Hughes, his parents, Lawrence and Pauline Hughes, and his brother, Ed Hughes.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sister, JoAnn Emery (deceased husband Eugene), and his brothers, Richard Hughes (deceased wife Virginia) and Stephen Hughes and his wife Sandra. He is also survived by his two other children, Vince and his wife, Michelle, and Chris and his wife, Diana. At the time of his passing, he leaves 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A patriarch by every measure, he will be remembered for his unshakeable faith, unwavering service, unmatched work ethic, quick wit and immense self-sacrifice, all of which remained until the last moment he was called from us. May he rest in eternal peace.

The Rosary will be recited on Sunday, March 2, at 6 p.m. at The Lake Funeral Home in Polson.  The Funeral Mass will be on Monday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, burial will follow the mass at Lakeview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Western Montana Stockman. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.