James Lawrence McHugh
James Lawrence McHugh was born December 29, 1931, and passed away November 26, 2024, peacefully at home after a brief illness. Preceded in death by parents William O. McHugh DDS and Ann (Brennan) McHugh; brother William B. McHugh, DDS and sister Mary Ann McHugh, and his loving wife of 61 years Patricia (McMullan) McHugh.
Born and raised in South St. Louis, he attended Our Lady of Sorrows School, graduated from St. Louis University High School and St. Louis University. He was also a graduate of Washington University School of Law and was a member of the Missouri Bar Association.
Jim married Patricia McMullan in February of 1954, and together they raised six children. Jim honorably served in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He successfully pursued a career in business and law and was President of the International Division at Pet, Inc. Jim’s effective community leadership in the 1970s played a key role in the development of the Japanese Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
He was a member of numerous civic boards and commissions including the University of Missouri Board of Curators and was appointed by Governor Joseph P. Teasdale to the Academy of Missouri Squires.
Jim’s love of music was known to all as he played the piano in bands while in high school and college and would lead a chorus of songs at “unsanctioned” DeSmet football parent parties. He especially loved jam sessions with family and friends, most notably with guitar playing sons Tom and Dan, along with brother Bill on bass and brother-in-law Jack Coad on guitar. No Christmas was complete without grandchildren gathering around the piano singing carols with grandpa.
Not only did Jim love music, but he also loved to dance, especially with Patsy. He would outlast Kathleen and Sally on the floor at Nerinx Hall father-daughter dances and at their weddings. He enjoyed watching Dan play a “gig” or attending all of David’s and Jim’s football games and school plays.
Jim and Patsy loved going to public events, traveling to such places as Japan, The Holy Land, and Ireland to visit moms’ side of the family or simply spending time at home with their children and grandchildren.
Over the past twenty years Jim and his son David worked together to restore the McHugh Daley Building and Opera House, in Pacific, Missouri.
In 2016, Jim married Joanne Black, and they worked together as proprietors to showcase this unique and historic venue: returning the Opera House to its rightful place as a center for music, dance, and community festivities. Jim and Joanne spent many happy years working at and enjoying the Opera House with friends and family.
Jim is survived by his wife Joanne (Black), and his children James (Patricia), David (Margie), Kathleen McHugh (Patrick Rohrkaste), Thomas, Sally (John) Madsen, and Daniel; along with seventeen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; dear uncle, brother-in-law, and cousin.
Services: Visitation and funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 7 at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 676 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119. Visitation at 8:30 a.m. with the Mass to follow at 9:00 a.m. Burial following Mass at Resurrection Cemetery, 6901 Mackenzie Road, St. Louis, MO 63123. Celebration of Life on Sunday, December 8 from 1-4 p.m. at the Pacific Opera House, 220 S. First Street, Pacific, MO 63069.
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