Nick M. Hughes, Jr., 85, of Tempe, Az. passed over on July 21, 2021, after a short illness. Nick was born at the Phoenix Maternity Hospital April 19, 1936, to his parents Nicholas M. Hughes and Melba Morrow Boland. He attended elementary schools in the Phoenix area. As a boy he worked shining shoes, delivering newspapers and mowing his Grandma Morrow’s lawn.
Nick moved with his parents to Miami, Az., at the start of high school and graduated from Miami High School in 1954. In high school he worked at the copper mine’s Miami Commercial store. Later, he worked in the mines as a junior draftsman and rodman on the surface survey crew. When the mine
went on strike, Nick fought forest fires for one summer. He was drafted into the Army for two years near the end of the Korean War (1955-1957).
After his military service, Nick returned to Phoenix, married Edith Davis, began his career at Garrett/AiResearch/AlliedSignal and enrolled in college at ASU on the GI Bill, graduating in 1965. Nick and Edith had four children.
In 1976 Nick married his second wife, Diane, and later adopted her two children.
Nick worked for Garrett/AiResearch/AlliedSignal for 35 years as an aerospace engineer, taking on several different assignments, traveling the world and retiring in 1995 as a chief engineer. He truly enjoyed his career. During retirement, he spent long hours in his workshop he built, making furniture for his family. For 10 years Nick and Diane traveled across the U.S., western Canada and Mexico in their RV, enjoying every minute of their road trips.
Nick was truly loved by all his family and friends for his loving, unwavering support, his kindness, his intelligence and his wit.
Nick is survived by his wife of 45 years, Diane, his children – Melia Van Orman, Kelli Sieczkowski, Christine Scott, Patrick Hughes, Anne Sheldon and Emy Tice and spouse Sean; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Nick’s parents and siblings preceded him in death. A Celebration of Life will be held at the end of August. Find more information at https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/mA36eHWm/nickhughesmemorial.You can post photos and share comments on this website.
