On Feb. 28, 2026, Hugh greatly enjoyed his 100th birthday celebration at his residential facility, Georgetown, in Wichita. Many people attended, including all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, two nieces, three sons of two of his Liberal High School classmates and many friends from his community. However, within a short period of time Hugh’s health deteriorated and he went ”home,” as he often referred to heaven.

Hugh was born in Hugoton, but his family soon moved to a small farm about 10 miles north and east of Liberal. Until moving on to LHS, Hugh and his siblings attended the one-room country school called “Superior” which was built by all of the farmers in the area for their children. The name of the school reflects the hopefulness and confidence of the parents for their children, which is admirable considering the circumstances of that time. It was Hugh’s job to feed coal into the stove in the middle of the classroom his last two years. He said he wore a light shirt and sweated all day long, and the students on the perimeter of the classroom kept their coats on all day!