Obituary of David William Hughes

March 14, 1936 - Calgary, Alberta

October 3, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Dr. David William Hughes of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the age of 88 years.

David had a wonderful life with his wife, Shirley, of almost 67 years and their children. He was born on March 14, 1936, and was raised in Calgary, moving to Lethbridge with Shirley in 1960 where their three children were born and raised. The move to Lethbridge occurred when he obtained his Chartered Accountant designation. He joined a new canola field processing company as the chief accountant and through various promotions he became President and CEO in 1976. David and Shirley moved back to Calgary in 2021.

He is survived by his children, Brenda Hughes with her husband Jim Duggan, and their son Ryan; Gail and Trevor Lamb with their two sons, Dean and Troy (Brie); along with Michael and Maxine Hughes and their daughter Rachel; his brother Murray Hughes, sister-in-law Catherine Hughes, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley, in March 2024, his parents, Doug and Ruby Hughes; father and mother-in-law, William and Evelyn Thompson; his sister Shirley, brother Don, sisters-in-law, Shirley, Norah, and Gladys; brothers-in-law, Bill, Gordon, and Wilhelm (Bill); and nephew William (Bill) Thompson. David took great joy in being called “Paga” by Dean and Troy.

David was active in both industry and community affairs. He was a leader in the canola industry through his involvement with Canola Crushers of Western Canada, the Canola Council of Canada, and the Institute of Edible Oils Field. He served as Vice-President of the International Association of Seed Crushers and as Canada’s representative on that association's Consultative Committee. He also served as a Corporate Director for several companies.

David believed that “To whom much has been given much is expected.” Many local organizations were the beneficiary of his active involvement including the University of Lethbridge, the Family YMCA, the Kinsmen Club, The Rotary Club, St. Augustine’s Anglican Church and The United Way. David and Shirley created an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta for the benefit of charitable organizations that focused on the development of youth leadership or enriching the lives of young people.

In recognition of his service, David was honoured several times, including being named a Fellow of the Institution of Chartered Accountants of Alberta with a commemorative medal on the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada and The Centennial Medal in recognition of outstanding service to the people of Alberta. His contribution to the University of Lethbridge on behalf of the Faculty of Management, The Board of Governors for two terms was honoured by awarding him the honorary degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. He was the first honoree at the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Scholarship Dinner

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made in memory of David directly to St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, 411-11 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2N9, Telephone: 403-327-3970, www.staug.org.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with David’s family here.

In living memory of David Hughes, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.