Peter J. Hughes

Peter J. Hughes, 57, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022.  The son of the late Lieutenant Colonel Daniel F. Hughes, USA, Retired, and the late Agnes Cairns Hughes, Peter was born in Fort Monmouth, NJ, November 7, 1964. He graduated from Arlington High School in Arlington, Texas and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas, Arlington. Peter earned his Masters of Science degree in Systems and Engineering and continued to pursue his PhD in Engineering until his untimely death. Peter worked at Pantex for 29 years as a Nuclear Engineer and Sr. Safety Specialist. During his career at Pantex, Peter developed a great respect and admiration for his colleagues and friends and their dedication to the critical mission Pantex performs for our Country.

Peter married the love of his life, Mary Ellen “Missy” Ingram, on August 5, 1989, spending only 2 nights apart during their 32 years together. They have one son, Peter John, a NASA engineer. Peter was a true Renaissance Man, with many gifts: brilliant intellect, photographic memory, talented artist, and a notable wry wit. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. Peter loved the Lord, his family and friends, and his Country. His passions were the continual thirst for knowledge, conceptual engineering, and technological innovations. His hobbies included treasure hunting, painting, and traveling the nation with Missy, exploring the extraordinary places “away from the things of man”, in their 36-foot Thor Four Winds RV.  An outstanding leader, brilliant mentor, and a wonderful man of kindness, compassion, generosity, and fairness, Peter walked with faith and courage, a wake of goodwill behind him, always seeking and treading the right path. An exceptional man...an exceptional life... Peter Hughes will be remembered and greatly missed. He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Mary Ellen “Missy” Hughes; his son, Peter John Hughes, II, of Houston; four sisters, Mary Cleve and husband Rick of Mansfield, TX, Melanie Hughes-Kern of Alexandria, VA, Kathleen Ditto and husband Steve of Grapevine, TX and Michelle Hathaway and husband Charlie of Dover, TN; a brother, Major General Dan Hughes, USA Retired, and wife Kathy of Potomac Falls, VA, as well as many other beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many, many wonderful colleagues and friends.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022, at St. Thomas, the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 4100 S. Coulter Street, with Father John Valdez.  Inurnment will follow immediately, at Llano Cemetery, 2900 S. Hayes Street.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

The Service will also be live-streamed via: www.amarillo.church