James Hughes

james hughes

James "Jim" Hughes, 66, Fargo, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday April 30, 2013 after his battle with cancer.  His life was too short for those that knew and loved him but it was a life of enthusiasm, dedication and accomplishment.

Jim was born on May 24, 1946 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to John "Jack" and Grace (Loer) Hughes.  He attended school in Grand Forks and graduated from St. James High School in 1964.  Upon graduation he enlisted in the Army and worked at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.  Jim was employed as Operations Manager in the Computer Center at NDSU for 31 years. 

Jim was active in coaching in the Catholic Schools System  and was a 3rd generation - 4th degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.  Jim was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and he cherished his family and friends very much.  Jim loved fishing, golfing, woodworking, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.  After his retirement, Jim remained active in the Knights of Columbus and continued coaching.

Jim Hughes and Sharon Robillard were married at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Olga, ND on July 5, 1969.  Jim is survived by his wife Sharon, children; Denise (Kraig) Condon, Maple Grove, MN; Mike (Kristy), Fargo, ND; Dan, Fargo, ND; Dawn Novotny, Fargo, ND; grand children; Selina, Paige, Emily and Logan Condon, Dylan and Journey Hughes, Chase Novotny; Sisters; Pat (Dale) Courville, Madison, AL; Barb (Duane) Ferguson, Colorado Springs, CO; Virginia (Ed) Edmunds, La Moure, ND; Rose Foster (Doug Brecke), Grand Forks, ND;  brothers; John Jr., Park River, ND; Dennis (Cheryl), Casper, WY; Phillip (Lisa), Maryland Heights, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations preferred.   Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo.

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  1. Fargo ND
    I was thankful to God to have met Jim in my life. He was my boss while I was going to school at ND
    SU. He truly was a great friend, boss, and person who knew how to show caring and friendship. God gave to him qualities that he shared with everyone. I share my sympathy with his family. God bless you all.

  2. I was heartbroken to learn of Coach Hughes’ death. He coached my daughter Elizabeth’s 7th grade Sullivan basketball team this past fall and I quickly came to love him. I knew he was suffering and it took all he had to finish off the year. It seemed heroic to me. But I still wasn’t expecting he’d leave us so soon. I am so honored to have crossed his path. God bless all of you, his family, in the grieving. My dad just passed Jan. 11 so I understand the hurt of losing a dear man.

  3. Fargo ND
    Deepest Sympathy to the Hughes Family…Jim was our son’s (Davis) Sullivan Middle School coach for two years, during that time he positively impacted all the boys–making sure they had a great time playing basketball while learning the game, teamwork and good sportsmanship always. It was so fun reconnect with him at Shanley football games! We hope you will find peace and comfort knowing that Jim touched so many lives and made our community a better place.
    The Ekman Family

  4. Fargo ND
    We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s death. He was such a big part of St. Anthony’s and Shanley’s athletics. Our son Mark commented that Jim was always his biggest fan! We will always be thankful for his wonderful influence on our sons! May God be with you all now and the days ahead. Our love and prayers, the Fenstad family

  5. Fargo North Dakota
    Sharon and Family,

    Jim was amazing — he always had a smile, was always willing to step up to the plate, and always was the proud husband, father and grandfather, showing pictures and sharing his latest coaching stories. I will miss the good times we shared — as our kids went to school together, as we worked together, and then when Jim retired, seeing him at Northport, looking at the positive and loving life. Our deepest sympathy to you — may wonderful memories sustain you.

  6. Fargo ND
    Jim was a wonderful man and always really enjoyed visiting with him when I was attending Adult RCIA and Joining the Knights of Columbus.
    He was always kind and interested in what you had to say!
    He made the world a better place. His Catholic faith was insperational to me!
    He will be missed by all who knew him.
    My thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones!

    Clay Whittlesey
    Fargo Park District
    782 Knight 4th Degree

  7. Fargo ND
    Jim was a great mentor, boss, coworker, and friend. He will be greatly missed. — Blessings to your family in this time of loss. — Kris Ottem

  8. Fargo, ND
    To the Hughes Family our deepest sympathy for your loss. We had the privilege of getting to know Jim through St. Anthony’s KC’s and as our daughter’s middle school basketball coach at Sullivan. Liz was particularly fond of Jim, and he had a great connection with her as a coach. She even jokingly called him ‘Grampa’ from time to time. Jim was a positive influence in our daughter’s life something for which we will always be grateful. May the Lord bless you all.

  9. Mesa AZ
    Sharon and family

    Darlene & I sent our prayers and sympathy. Jim was a great Sir Kinight. We will always remember his smile and friendship.

  10. Fargo ND
    Denise and family, We will miss Jim’s visits at ND
    SU. He was always so proud of his family and would tell us his latest news. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

  11. East Grand Forks Minn.We are so sorry for Jim’s loss to his family and friends. We remember him as personal and caring, looking out for his family. Jim will be sorely missed by all who knew him. His family is in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time

  12. I was an ND
    SU colleague of Jim’s. He and I had many jokes and talks together. He even tried, successfully I might add, to hit a golf ball further than I. He was a good guy, very proud of his family, I will miss him.

  13. West Fargo ND
    Sharon and family we are sorry to hear of your lose. Jim was a great guy. We really enjoyed all the softball games with him and your family. May God bless your family and keep you secure in the knowledge of the resurrection through Jesus Christ.

  14. Fargo Dawn and family, so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Your dad was such a great supporter of Shanley athletics. I think he attended every basketball game in the last 20+ years. I remember him coaching everything including our 5th grade track team. If there was something to be coached, he coached it. The Shanley family has lost a special member.

  15. Clovis CADear Family
    I’m a Grand Forks, ND
    childhood friend of all the Hughes kids, and my best friend, Jim’s sister, Pat Courville. My condolences to all of you in the untimely illness and death of Jim.

    I have wonderful memories of time spent growing up with all of the Hughes kids. He will not be forgotten.

    My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.

    Sincerely, Sylvia Swartz Noyes

  16. Grand Forks ND
    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Bill and I both mentioned we remember Jim’s smile. He always seemed to enjoy life. We have many fond memories of your family, meeting all of you and having Denise as Leah’s first babysitter when we lived in Fargo. Also our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim’s sisters and brothers whom we know from St. Mary’s and St. James. May God keep all of you in his care at this time of sorrow.
    Love, Kerry and Bill Marti

  17. Hughes family: May I offer my sincere condolences to you on the death of James. May your hearts find comfort in God’s Word where he states: “He (God) will swallow up death in victory and the Lord God shall wipe away tears from off all faces.(Isaiah 25:8). May your loved one awaken to a world where there will be peace (John 5:28,29 Psalm 37:11) no sickness (Isaiah 33:24) and no more troubles (Revelation 21:4)throughout eternity (Psalm 37:29) May your hearts find comfort and hope in God’s Word for all that he has said will surely come to pass (Titus 1:2) My deepest sympathy to you.

  18. Fargo I remember Mr. Hughes very well. I am sorry for your loss Denise and Family. I am holding you in my prayers during this time of mourning. God Bless.

  19. Langdon ND
    Sharon and Kids so very sorry for your loss you are in our thought and hearts, Jim will be missed by Jon and us!!

  20. Colorado Springs CODeepest sympathies to Aunt Sharon and cousins Denise, Mike, Danny and Dawn. Sorry we couldn’t be with you in your time of sorrow. We love you.

  21. Grand Forks North Dakota
    I’d like to express my sympathy to your family. I used to work with Jim for many, many years, him at ND
    SU and myself at UND. Jim was a great guy and I know he will be greatly missed.

  22. Bismarck ND
    Dear Sharon and family,
    I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Jim and wish to express my sincere sympathy.

    Jim will be missed, not only by his family, but by all whose lives he touched in his own unique way.

    He was a very dedicated Knight of Columbus

    May he rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord.

  23. Alice North Dakota
    Sharon, you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers. Jim will be thought of fondly he was such a sweet and caring man. May God be with you and the family in these weeks ahead.

  24. Deb and I express our sympathy for the loss of Jim. He will be deeply missed and will be forever in our prayers as well as your family. Jim is now with Our Lord and that is GOD’s WILL, nothing more,
    nothing less, Nothing Else….. GOD Bless

  25. My deepest condolences to the family, may the God of comfort be of comfort to you, during these difficult times – 2 Corinthians 1:4 Revelation 21:3, 4.

  26. Fargo ND
    Dear Sharon & family,

    We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. It was always such a pleasure to cross paths w/him in recent times since his high level of involvement in the Network schools years ago. Jim had a powerful impact on the lives of our four sons during his time coaching at St. Anthony & Shanley. We will always be grateful for the positive ways in which he influenced them during those formative years. May God console you w/the memories you hold dearly in your hearts. Jim was a good man he will be missed by many. May he enjoy the heavenly rewards promised by Jesus……….

  27. Fargo ND
    Sharon, Denise, Mike, Dawn, and Dan- you are in my prayers at this time of loss. Jim has been a very dear friend for a long time. We were long time coaching, chain gang, Shanley scoring table, and basketball tournament buddies. I will always remember him for being able to talk to him about anything, sharing stories of our families, trading jokes and funny stories, and always being there to lend an ear or a helping hand whenever one was needed. Jim you will be greatly missed.

  28. I understand that this is very late date to acknowledge any comments. My name is Lowell Chellberg and I live in Topeka, Kansas. Jim and I served together in the Army at Fort Mason and the Presidio in San Francisco from January 1965 to June 1966 at which time we attended the IBM Education Center and worked at the overseas supply command COSMOS. In June we received our orders to report to the Defense Communications Agency Joint Chiefs of Staff, NMCC. We served here together until my discharge in May of 1968 and I believe Jim was discharged shortly after. We of course lost contact until I believe 2012 at which time I found his address and I found him in Fargo ND. I visited with him on the phone awhile and I said I would send him some photos of us at Fort Mason and San Francisco. Well I never did. Recently I was straightening out my closet and there were the pictures. Having lost his number I looked for him on the internet. To my astonishment I found that he had passed away. I felt sad and I can tell you that Jim was a great friend to me all those years ago. My wife and I had him for dinner at our apartment in Falls Church and thoroughly enjoyed our times together. I do not mean for this to be upsetting and I hope it isn’t. I just wanted you to know that Jim was a great and fun person. One who was helpful to others and kind to all. I wish I had followed through on the pictures and perhaps had more phone conversations with him. I want to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family, although it is so late. I would not have written if I didn’t feel that I was addressing the correct parties for Jim. When I read the Pentagon in the obituary I was sure it was my friend Jim. Sincerely, Lowell Chellberg (Spc5 US Army 1965-1968).

  29. I think I gave an incorrect date for our time at Fort Mason. It should be January 1966 to June 1966. Pentagon June 1966 to May 1968.


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