Jonathan Hughes

Jonathan Stanley Hughes, 89, passed away on January 29, 2011, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Stanley was born in Panaca, Nevada, on December 24, 1921 to Marion and Naomi Hughes. The family later moved to Milford, Utah, where Stanley attended elementary and high school. He was active in sports, music, and debate. As a young boy, he watched mail flights land at the small Milford airstrip and was determined to become a flyer.

Stanley loved and served his country, family, and church. He entered the Army Air Corp in 1942 as an aviation cadet after two years at Utah State Agricultural College where he studied Radio Engineering. He received his wings in 1943 and served as a flight instructor in B-17s at Lockbourne A.F.B., Columbus, Ohio until the end of WWII. While he was serving in Columbus, young 2nd Lt. Hughes and a few friends crashed a party where he met the love of his life, Anna Louise Powers. He would not leave for his new assignment without her; they were married on April 15, 1945.

Following a two year tour of duty with the Air Weather Service, which included reconnaissance flights over the North Pacific, Alaska, and the North Pole, Capt. Hughes received his first Strategic Air Command assignment in May of 1947, transferring to the 93rd Bomb Wing at Castle A.F.B. California. At Castle, he flew the B-29, B-50, B-47 and the B-52. He was one of the first seven instructor pilots in the B-52 program. During this ten year stay, Stanley and Louise had four children, Dale, Ronald, Constance, and Cheryl Jean.

Other SAC promotions, transfers and command assignments followed, including a two year tour in Omaha at SAC Headquarters as Chief of Operations and Training for the Inspector General (IG Team); graduation from the Air War College; Squadron Commander at Altus A.F.B., Oklahoma; Military Advisory Command for Vietnam, with headquarters in Saigon; and Assistant Director of Operations for Second Air Force (SAC) at Barksdale A.F.B., Louisiana. Col. J. S. Hughes (and Louise) honorably retired from the United States Air Force in 1972.

During his 30 years of military service, Stanley logged over 10,000 hours flying time and flew 15 different types of aircraft. He led by example and was decorated with many medals, including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Bronze Service Star, and the Legion of Merit.

Happily retired and eager for time with each other, Stanley and Louise built their dream home and settled down in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There, they shared many happy years together with family and friends. Stanley designed and built their getaway log cabin near Taos where Louise could paint the beautiful scenery and he could hunt and fish with friends. When Louise was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, Stanley planned ahead as usual and moved her to Farmington in 1995 so that she could be near her daughters. Stanleys greatest love and service was shown by the extraordinary way that he cared for his beloved Louise during the many years she struggled, allowing her to pass away with dignity in her own home on October 13, 1998. She knew his name to her last breath.

As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Stanley often told how his faith served him well during his military service and later challenges as a caregiver. During his final years, he loved singing hymns and so enjoyed fellowshipping with his brothers and sisters as he greeted them at the chapel door.

Stanley also enjoyed camping with friends and family, golfing, spotting wildlife from his patio, visiting with neighbors and quietly helping others. He will be remembered for his many talents, keen mind and sense of humor. His passing leaves a void in many hearts; we love and miss our go to guy.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Country Care in Farmington and Emeritus in Salt Lake City for their loving care of our Stanley during these difficult past several months and for the kindness they have shown to us. A special thanks to son-in-law Jonathan for his twenty years of care and devotion toward both Stanley and Louise. They loved him dearly.

Services will be held at the Farmington Davis Creek Chapel (825 South 50 East) on Friday, February 4, 2011, at 11 a.m., where a visitation will be held from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment at the Farmington City Cemetery will follow.