James "Jim" Earl Hughes

James Earl “Jim” Hughes, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jim was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and raised in Lake Zurich, Illinois. He graduated from Ripon College in Wisconsin, where his sharp mind and lifelong talent for numbers shone early. He once achieved a perfect score on the math portion of the SAT.

Jim built a career in sales and management in software serving the manufacturing and distribution industries, thriving in leadership roles across the country. Over the years, he lived in Chicago, Milwaukee, Dallas, Columbus, Indianapolis, and Denver. He retired as Senior Vice President from LogicData in Denver, where he led with integrity, insight, and a deep understanding of both people and numbers. Jim had a talent for solving complex problems – he could zero in on a challenge, see it from multiple angles, and find a way forward. But what he valued most was supporting the people he managed. He was a natural mentor with a genuine love for helping others grow, and he brought creativity and connection to every aspect of his work and life.

Jim also lived out a lifelong dream by trying his hand at alpaca ranching in Colorado, a place he cherished for its mountains, crisp air, and wide-open skies. He took on the adventure with his son, Jason, and one of his favorite daily rituals was waking up early and looking out over the pasture to see the animals grazing.

A card sharp in the best sense, Jim was always ready for a game – especially canasta with family or bridge in retirement. He also enjoyed blackjack and a well-timed wager. A devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs and Dallas Cowboys, he was cheering on the Cubs right up to the end. He was also something of a connoisseur; he enjoyed exploring high-end spirits and cigars, always interested in figuring out exactly what he liked. He loved westerns, the idea of the open range, and above all, the towering stillness of the Muir Woods and its redwoods. 

After retiring, Jim moved to Pittsburgh to live near his daughter, Melanie. The two were a lot alike, and they grew especially close in his final years. He was deeply proud of her accomplishments, and their relationship was a source of comfort to him.

Jim will be remembered for his quick wit, his love of teasing, and his enduring ability to bring humor and levity, even in difficult moments.

He is survived by his son, Jason Hughes; his daughter and son-in-law, Melanie Hughes and Britton Mauk; his sisters and brother-in-law, Judy and Jim McGrath and Sally Hughes; and his former wife of 21 years, Linda Harrod, with whom he shared a home in his final years.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, August 3, at Wolfe Memorial, LLC, Forest Hills Chapel, 3600 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh PA 15221. Friends and family will be received from 11:00am until the time of the service at 1:00pm. All who knew Jim are welcome to attend and share stories in honor of his memory.

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