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<p><em>Neil Dwayne Hughes</em> was born in Wichita, KS on February 11, 1946, the first of four children to Robert Leigh and Mary Ellen (Tedder) Hughes. Soon after Neil’s birth, the family moved to Goddard, KS.</p>
<p>Neil was a multi-sport athlete in high school and was named “outstanding senior athlete.” Named to All-State two years, he led the Goddard High School Lions to a 1964 State Basketball Championship and was named the “most inspirational player” at the Dodge City Tournament of Champions. He lettered in track all four years and in football for three years. He was named “Representative Boy” his senior year. Neil was a member of the high school yearbook staff, Spanish club, and student council; was president of the Key Club; and was a member of the National Honor Society for three years, graduating third in his class.</p>
<p>Neil joined the West Point Class of 1968 on July 1, 1964. At West Point, he continued his passion for basketball, playing guard all four years and earning a letter. In his plebe and yearling years, he played baseball as a catcher, earning another letter. His Howitzer entry reported that “Neil’s greatest attributes are his athletic prowess and his inherent ability to get along with others. He became known on the basketball team as ‘Judge’ for his perseverance from the bench. Neil will always be remembered as the Kansas farm boy who could never corrupt himself, no matter how hard he tried.”</p>
<p>Ankle injuries led Neil to branch Adjutant General Corps. He married Marjorie Ossmer in December 1968. Assignments at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN and Fort Riley, KS preceded his first major assignment, which was to Camp King, Oberusel, West Germany as the adjutant general for U.S. Army Reception Group Europe, where he assisted in exercises such as Reforger, Deep Freeze, and Olympic Express. These exercises took him to England, Italy, and throughout West Germany.</p>
<p>In December 1969, Neil’s first son, Dan, was born in Frankfurt, West Germany. In June 1970, Neil began the then customary tour in Vietnam, serving as the administrative officer for the 34th General Support Group in Saigon. Following this tour, he and his family moved to Columbia, SC, where Neil was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson. In March 1972, Neil and Marjorie added another son, Dwayne, born at Fort Jackson, to their family. Neil resigned his commission in June 1973 and joined Metropolitan Life Insurance in Jacksonville, FL. In his first six months he qualified for Metropolitan’s Honor Conference and three months later was promoted to sales manager. In February 1976, Neil and Marjorie completed their family with the birth of their third son, Jason, in Orange Park, FL. Later that same year, Neil moved to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Smith, where, following extensive training, he started a career as a stockbroker, “enjoying every minute of it” (in his own words). For the last 40-plus years of his life, Neil was a registered investment advisor and independent contractor for Raymond James Financial, Inc. He spent his career helping people plan and invest to reach their retirement goals.</p>
<p>Neil never lost his passion for basketball. He was well known as a youth basketball coach in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early 1980s, he formed a Biddy Basketball League in Jacksonville to provide the area’s youth a place to enhance their skills and develop a passion for the game. Very much a devoted husband and father, he enjoyed attending Jaguars games with his friends and his sons.</p>
<p>Neil is survived by his wife, Marjorie; his son and daughter-in-law Dan and Cindy, his son and daughter-in-law Dwayne and Michelle, and his son and daughter-in-law Jason and Emilee; his mother; his brother Robert; his sister, Pamela; many grandchildren and a great-grandson. He was predeceased by his father and his brother Earl.</p>
<p>More important than Neil’s accomplishments is his character, as shown by various comments made by classmates, military associates, and family. A soldier who served with Neil in Vietnam said that Neil’s leadership style showed that Neil was clearly in command while being friendly and personable; he tried to emulate Neil whenever in a position of authority. West Point classmates described Neil as a good friend, companymate, classmate, and an active and enthusiastic participant in everything. Another classmate said that you felt better just being with Neil. One classmate remembered Neil’s positive attitude, warmth, friendliness, and great sense of humor, remarking with awe on his ever-present smile, amazed that someone could be that happy for four years at West Point. Neil did not take himself too seriously—a helpful trait for West Point’s challenging and often difficult four-year experience. His children wrote that Neil was a role model as a father, one who was extremely honorable and who put God and family first, joyously sacrificing his energy and time. His sister wrote that she had never seen Neil angry. After his death, a granddaughter wrote a note to Neil, reflecting the inspiration that Neil had been in her life, the mutual love they shared, and her knowledge that they would one day be reunited—a most poignant tribute to Neil.</p>
<p>Well Done, Neil; Be Thou at Peace!</p>
<p><em> Dale W. Hansen</em></p>
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