James A. (Jim) Hughes, age 80, passed away on September 6, 2015 in Prosper, Texas at his home surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on October 21, 1934 in Prosper, Texas to T.M., Sr., and Oberia Johnson Hughes.
Jim graduated from Prosper High School in 1951. He excelled in sports and continued that interest at Sam Houston State University. He played baseball and basketball. In 1995, he was inducted into the Sam Houston Hall of Honor. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers and went on to play minor league baseball and managed in the minor leagues over the years. He was a very hard working baseball scout who worked for the New York Mets when they won the World Series in 1969. He scouted for the Toronto Blue Jays for over 20 years, including the two years the Blue Jays won back to back World Series. He was a member of the Texas Scout Association and the Scout of the Year Foundation. In 1995, Jim was honored by the Scout of the Year Foundation as the “Midwest Scout of the Year.” Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army.
On December 30, 1982, Jim married the former Betty Hodges Matthews at the First Methodist Church in McKinney. Jim was passionate about his service to his church, Prosper United Methodist, and the town of Prosper. He was a director for the Prosper Historical Society. Quietly and anonymously, he gave his time, shared his talents, advised and encouraged others. He saw the good in people that others may not have seen and was generous with his time, never expecting anything in return.
He was preceded in death by his parents, T.M., Sr. and Oberia Johnson Hughes and his brother and sister-in-law, T.M., Jr. and Mary McKnight Hughes.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Betty of Prosper; his daughter, Lequita Kinder and husband Mark of Crandall, Texas; son, Marty Matthews of Dallas, Texas; brother, Jack Hughes and wife Lynda of Cypress, Texas; sister, Jerry Gentle of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Natalie Pierce and husband Steven of Wills Point, Texas, Wesley Kinder of Crandall, Texas, Kevin Kinder and wife Rachel of Seagoville, Texas; six great-grandchildren, Riley, Lee, Kyle and Layne Pierce, Peyton Kinder and Cashton Kinder; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
There was no one who loved his family more than Jim. He loved spending time with his wife, Betty, and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed playing racquetball, jogging and playing golf now and then. He was a faithful member of Prosper United Methodist Church and the Faith Weaver’s Sunday School Class.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Walnut Grove Cemetery at Custer and First Street in Prosper, Texas. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Prosper United Methodist Church, 205 South Church Street, Prosper, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday evening, September 9, 2015 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas.
Memorials may be made in Jim’s memory to the Prosper United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 206, Prosper, Texas 75078; The Prosper Historical Society’s Veteran’s Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 221, Prosper, Texas 75078 ; The Scout of the Year Foundation; P.O. Box 211585, West Palm Beach, Florida 33421-1585; The Prosper United Methodist Women Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 206, Prosper, Texas 75078.