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James M. Hughes, Jr.

Dec. 30, 1927 – Feb. 8, 2021

James M. Hughes Jr., 93, Altoona, passed away Monday at UPMC Altoona following a brief illness.

The son of James and Jean (Roy) Hughes, he married Eve Christodoulos on June 12, 1949, in Altoona.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years in 2010; and his daughter, Happiness Singler, in 2019.

He is survived by three daughters: Holly (Jim) Means of Westerville, Ohio, Hope (Dave) Furrer of Baltimore, Md., Heather (Jim) Little of Altoona; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Jim joined the Marine Corps right out of high school in 1945 and served with the 1st Separate Engineer Battalion in Tientsin and Tang Ku, China. He graduated from Penn State University in 1951 with a degree in electrical engineering. Jim was first employed by Westinghouse Electric in Baltimore, Md. He joined the engineering faculty of PSU Altoona, teaching electrical engineering in 1955, where he retired in 1986. He served as the electrical engineering consultant for DM Bare (Appleton) Paper Mill and had his own consulting firm in Altoona, retiring from consulting in 2011.

He was a member of the State Professional Engineering Society, lifetime member of the Marine Corps League and China Marine Association as well as the VFW Post 8685 Fort Apache.

Jim lived his life for his family, his greatest source of pride and joy. In his retirement, Jim never missed an opportunity to be with his family at reunions, tailgates and family events. He earned his private pilot’s license, taught himself to play the piano, enjoyed woodworking and seeing his friends at Tom and Joe’s and at Fort Apache. Most of all, he loved spending time at “The Cottage” on the beautiful Juniata River, a family gathering spot since his childhood. He was officially in charge of making sure the river kept flowing in the right direction.

Viewing will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona, where military honors will be offered at 3:45 p.m. COVID-19 precautions will be followed. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jim’s honor to the Gospel Hill Flag Fund, CPCF, 1330 11th Ave., Altoona, PA 16601; and to St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, 2201 Union Ave., Altoona, PA 16601.

Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.