Obituary - Russell Allen Hughes

Russell Allen Hughes, age 67, resident of Fort Scott, KS died Saturday, April 29, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. He was born June 3, 1955, in Ottawa, KS, the son of Victor Ross Hughes and Freda Ella Fletcher Hughes. Russell was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for fishing, hunting, and trapping. He never knew a stranger characterized by his traditional wave, tipping his hat and his greeting “Howdy.” He enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and his beloved German Shepherd Angus. He especially enjoyed babysitting his granddaughter Elsie Mae and was able to watch her fish for the first time.

Russell was an accomplished athlete in track discus, shot, and javelin. His passion was wrestling and was a true ambassador for the sport, encouraging and supporting youth interest through coaching and mentoring. He coached various sports through the Fort Scott Recreation Program and played a key role in the development of love of sports in the youth of the community as well as in his children. He avidly supported his children’s sport careers in high school and college, travelling to attend their tournaments. Russell attended Fort Scott Community College and was among the first group of wrestlers to qualify for the National Junior College Wrestling Championship tournament.

Russell was part of the creation of the Fort Scott Bass Fishing Club and developed many enduring friendships. He was a member of the Kansas BASS Federation, placing first in the 1987 Hillsdale Lake tournament obtaining a chance for the BASS Master tournament. He fished many tournaments during his lifetime and had an innate old school skillset and shared this knowledge with his children and youth of the community. His motto was “Feed a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” He also developed a love of local history and enjoyed searching local fields and secret areas for relics through metal detecting with a keen eye for finding Indian arrowheads with his dear friend Thomas Karleskint.

Russell married Deb McBride in 1980. Though this relationship wasn’t permanent, they had one child, together, Ashley, whom they adored. He married the love of his life Patricia Anne Repasky in Gunn Park amongst the wild blooming delphinium on May 15, 1993, and would have celebrated 30 years of love and friendship.

He took pride in his work performance during the 33 years of employment for the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant and Groundskeeper at Gunn Park. After retirement, he worked part time as a janitor at the Fort Scott middle School and continued coaching track. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No.8 in Iola and Lodge No. 18 in Ottawa.

Survivors include his wife Patricia of the home; a daughter, Ashley Marie Hughes (Jenn Hall), Hutto, TX; 2 sons, Victor Russell Hughes (Bailie), Gardner, KS, and John Ross Hughes (Jada), Overland Park, KS; granddaughter Elsie Mae Hughes; a brother, Randall Hughes, Ottawa, KS; nephews Bob and Colin Hughes, and Anthony Seigrest; and niece Jenny Seigrest. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pastor Danny Brown will conduct memorial services at 5:00 PM Friday, May 5th, at the Fort Scott Middle School. The family will receive friends Thursday evening May 4th, from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.