Major General James J. Hughes, Jr. (87) of Columbus, Ohio and Naples, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2023, of pneumonia at the Dublin Retirement Village in Dublin, Ohio. He was born in Columbus on September 9, 1936, to the late Dr. J.J. Hughes and Margaret Gordon Hughes. He graduated from St. Charles Preparatory School in 1955, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1959, and received a law degree from Georgetown University in 1962. He enlisted in the Ohio National Guard in 1954 and retired 42 years later as a Major General. He is a graduate of the United States Army War College.
Jim was a true luminary whose legacy spanned the realms of law and military leadership. He started his distinguished legal career in 1962 at Porter, Stanley, Treffinger & Platt (now Porter Wright). He served as the Director of Public Safety for the City of Columbus (1967-71). He was elected to serve as the City Attorney for the City of Columbus (1971-76). In 1975, he argued before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the City of Columbus. He then formed a law firm with Mike Moritz and grew that firm to over 30 lawyers in just four years. Baker & Hostetler acquired the firm in 1980 and he became a partner at Bricker & Eckler (now Bricker Graydon).
In the field of leadership, the “General” built legal and military leaders. His leadership style encouraged team members to use their strengths and emerge as leaders themselves, earning him the respect and admiration of peers and subordinates alike. As a legal visionary, he shaped the landscape of health care jurisprudence. At Bricker, he founded the Health Care Department and along with his partners and colleagues built the practice into one of the premier health care practices in the country. He served as general counsel to multiple hospitals throughout Ohio. He was General Counsel to the Ohio Hospital Association; Chairman of the Ohio Hospital Insurance Company; Managing Director of Providers Re Insurance Company; Founder and Board Member of the American Society of Hospital Attorneys; and Adjunct Professor of Health Care Law at the Ohio State University College of Medicine and School of Public Health (1969-2001).
Jim had an unyielding commitment to public service and a profound sense of duty. He had diverse experience in military and law enforcement. He was known for exercising sound judgment and strategic intelligence often during difficult situations. The “General” spent many years as Commander of the 16th Engineer Brigade and as the State Area Commander (STARC) of the Ohio National Guard, which is responsible for all state military assets in support of civil authorities and provides equipment and personnel for disaster response. He participated in a leadership role in 19 riots or other civil disasters during his military and law enforcement careers. As Safety Director, he commanded the Columbus Police Department at the Ohio Penitentiary riot in 1968. In 1970, he authored and implemented a strategy as Safety Director to defuse anti-war and civil rights riots at the Ohio State University to mitigate injuries to participants and bystanders and limit the destruction of property. He commanded 800 Ohio National Guard troops during the 11-day siege of the Ohio Penitentiary at Lucasville in 1993. He also served as a consultant to the Office of the Secretary of the Army. He was a Member of the Army Science Board. After retiring from the practice of law, he served as General Counsel to the National Guard Association of the United States.
Beyond his professional and military career, Jim was a huge fan of anything Notre Dame, avid historian, and self-taught computer geek. He was adventurous. He obtained his airplane pilot license at 18 and stayed current for many years. He was a member of the Columbus and Naples Hangers of the Quiet Birdmen. He grew up on the water and owned several sailboats and powerboats over the years. He is a former member of Leatherlips Yacht Club, Hoover Sailing Club, Sandusky Sailing Club, the Useppa Island Club, and the Naples Sailing & Yacht Club. He was a certified scuba diver and went on several scuba excursions. He picked up golf later in life. He was a member of the Country Club of Muirfield where he was Chairman and Managing General Partner for 18 years. He was also a member of the Muirfield Village Golf Club, Bonita Bay Club, and the Club at Mediterra. He retired to Naples, Florida. In retirement, he was Chair and Board Member of the City of Naples Planning Advisory Board, and he served as a Board Member of the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
Jim is survived by his wife Lorry Hughes of Naples; sister Maureen (Mimi) Hughes Murphy and brother Michael G. (Carter) Hughes; first wife Patricia McNulty Hughes of Columbus; children Julie (Patrick) Gibson, James (Kathleen) Hughes, Amy Hughes, Terri (Jason) Harwood, and Michele Hughes; grandchildren Kate (Adam) Abbot, Amy (Chris) Riedel, Bethany Gibson, Rachel (Colin) White, Reilly Hughes, Ryan Alger, Jack Harwood, Michael Lawler, Jacqueline Lawler, and Madeline Lawler; three stepchildren; four step-grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by wife Beverly McFadden Hughes, brother George G. Hughes, and brother-in-law Denis J. Murphy. Jim is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Jim touched the lives of many during his journey. In honoring his memory, let us draw inspiration from his legacy, remembering the visionary intellect and exceptional leadership that defined a remarkable life. Jim’s family would like to thank the administration and staff at the Dublin Retirement Village-Memory Care for providing him with a safe and comfortable home. Calling hours will be held on January 12, 2024, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Road.In lieu of flowers, friends who wish, may consider a donation to his memory to St. Charles Preparatory School at:www.stcharlesprep.org.To share memories or condolences, please visitwww.egan-ryan.com.
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