Odus Hughes

Odus Raymond Hughes, 83, of Casa Grande, who spent most of his life in agriculture, died peacefully on Jan. 22, 2012, at Desert Oasis Assisted Living.
The celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel. Burial will be in Eloy Memorial Park.
Mr. Hughes was born on Feb. 4, 1928, in Friona, Texas, the middle son of Emmett and Cleo Wright Hughes, but he lived his whole life in Pinal County. He attended school in Picacho and Toltec and graduated from Casa Grande Union High School in 1946. He attended what is now Arizona State University before he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He spent a year in Korea as a court reporter for the Judge Advocate General's Corps and witnessed courts-martial. He said it was the most unhappy year of his life, waiting to come home to marry his high school sweetheart, Barbara Goff. They married on Oct. 26, 1952, and he began a long career in agriculture. He went to work for Anderson Clayton Corp. and worked his way up to field man.
He retired from the company and began farming with his two sons as Triple H Farms. He was a past board chairman of Electrical District 4, past board chairman of Greene Reservoir Flood Control District and a founding board member of The Bank of Casa Grande Valley. After retirement he loved playing golf in the mornings and playing the horses in the afternoon, both with great passion. He suffered a severe stroke nine years ago but still hobbled down to "the office," McMashers Sports Bar & Grill, most afternoons to visit and play the horses. He had a love and zest for life.
Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Gayle; two sons, Jeff and Chris Hughes of Casa Grande; two stepsons, Jeff Rogers of Tucson and Ryan Rogers of Arizona City; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara, in 1987, and two brothers, Jack and Bill Hughes.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 10480, Casa Grande, AZ 85130, or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656