Chuck Hughes passed away on October 20, 2017, just days before his 59th birthday.
Chuck was born on October 31, 1958 to Bruce and Cynthia Hughes.
He was raised in Uniontown, Washington with his 4 siblings. He spent time like most kids of the 60's riding bikes, shooting bbguns and racing on dirt bikes. During the summers he worked hay and harvest seasons fitting in some fun whenever possible.
Chuck spent most of his life living in the greater Palouse area. He attended Colton High School where he played several sports, but baseball was his passion. He continued to play in adult leagues. He spent years generously coaching local Little League and AAU basketball teams. Once Chuck discovered golf he was hooked! Chuck played golf whenever he had the opportunity. He and a group of friends took an annual trip to Palm Springs to play on some of their favorite courses. He was a member of the Colfax Golf Club, where he served as President for several years, and belonged to the St. John Golf Club. Chuck was a passionate WSU Cougar fan and managed to fit in at least one trip a year to attend a Seahawks game. Chuck was also active with the Endicott Gun Club for years.
Chuck was incredibly dedicated, a hard worker, and was one of the first to show up when there was a need. Recently at Chuck's retirement party, Alex McGregor shared a story told to him by Chris Hille. "If not for Chuck's tenacity and talent, the Colfax Golf Club might not have a golf course. This past April, just a few days before Good Friday, the Colfax Golf Club's superintendent quit. The Good Friday tournament is one of the largest tournaments held there and the golf course was left vulnerable with no one managing. Chuck met this challenge head on and made sure the course was playable. Keep in mind it had been one of the wettest springs and the golf course, in a setting next to a near flood stage Palouse River, was extremely wet with standing water in several areas. The first fairway was unusable being so saturated that no carts, let alone mowers, could be used on it. Chuck led the charge, along with Randy Davis and a few volunteers, to keep this community asset playable."
Chuck began working for the McGregor Company in July, 1982. For the next 35 years he worked in Uniontown, Moscow, Wilbur and Endicott as a service technician, branch manager, area manager and account manager. Over the course of his career he accumulated an impressive number of satisfied farm family customers and co-workers who admired him because of his excellent advice, pioneering technology advances and unvarnished assessment of whatever situation he found himself in.
Chuck enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews. Whether it was holidays, birthdays, trips to Priest Lake or attending different sporting events to watch them play, Chuck was there to support them. Chuck annually made about 1,000 pounds of sausage which was delivered to family and friends. Chuck lived a life dedicated to his family, friends and community.
Chuck is survived by his four siblings, LaVonne Harrington (Tom), Phil (Elaine), Dianne Heaslet (Jim), Marty (Sandi), and 5 nieces and nephews Rusty Heaslet (Lauren), Derek Heaslet, McKenzie Heaslet, Kelsey Harrington, Taylor Holskey (Josh) and 1 great niece, Sydney Heaslet.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, November 25th at 1:00pm at the Colfax Golf Club. Please join the family to remember Chuck and bring your favorite "Chuck story" to share. Memorials should be directed to the Colfax Golf Club Foundtion, 2402 Cedar St., Colfax WA 99111.