Richard Everett Hughes, 77, of Defiance, passed away Friday morning at his home in Defiance. He was born May 26, 1942 to Everett and Helen Hughes in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He married his lifelong love and partner Barbara (Hutchinson) Hughes on October  18, 1968. Richard loved God and his country and was a true American Patriot.  He graduated from Alderson High School in West Virginia; he was an outstanding athlete, nick named "Ozark" by his fellow teammates, gaining the title of all state basketball and all southern state football.  He then attended West Virginia University where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and then obtained a Master Degree in History.  He then attended Bowling Green University where he received a Specialist Degree in Economic Administration.

For several years he served as a high school history teacher coaching basketball, football, and track and field at Ravenswood High School, Ravenswood, WV, and Oakwood High School, Oakwood, Ohio.  He then served as Principal at Kalida High School, Kalida, Ohio.  Then he found his life's calling.  In 1973 he opened Hughes Insurance Agency in Defiance Ohio selling Nationwide Insurance.  He ran a very successful award winning agency becoming a CLU Chartered Life Underwriter and LUTCF, Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow.

After a very successful career as an insurance agent he became chief financial officer in the establishment of Hughes Financial Services which operated 14 separate locations throughout Northwest Ohio.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Barbara Hughes of Defiance; sons; David Hughes, Craig Parsons and Greg Parsons of Defiance.

He was preceded in death by his father, Everett Hughes; mothers, Helen Hughes; sister, Helen "Hetty" Hughes; son, Frederick Parsons.  He also leaves behind grandchildren; Jackie Hughes, Lindsey Hughes, Jennifer Parsons, Alexa Parsons, Alyssa Parsons, Cullen Parsons, Caiden Parsons, Matthew Parsons, Gregory Parsons, Richard Parsons, Austin Parsons and Alena Brooks and 8 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 11:00 am until the Funeral Service at 1:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, with Pastor Donald L. Luhring officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the Defiance County Humane Society. Online condolences may be expressed at www.schafferfuneralhome.com.

(Source: Schaffer Funeral Home)