Donald Miller Hughes

Donald "Duck" Miller Hughes, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family and in the comfort of his home in Visalia on March 11, 2025 after years-long battle with heart disease and Alzheimer's. He was 86. Don was born to Leslie Hughes & Lola Miller Hughes in McAllen, TX, on September 23rd, 1938. He spent his youth in Edcouch, TX, where he graduated from high school and discovered his affinity for American muscle cars. At 19, he started working for John Deere, first at Sherry-Barbee Implement, then at Lawrence Tractor (formerly Sequoia Machinery) in Visalia and Hanford after he moved to California. He retired at 67 after 48 years with John Deere. During his lifetime, he also enjoyed working on classic cars, planning and executing "McTrips" with friends John & Mary Galvez, camping with family and Kings Kampers RV, and feeding every bird to ever pass through Hanford. In 1966, Don married Shirley Kay Peterson in Visalia and had their first son, Ted Allen Hughes, a year later. Three years later, they had Daniel Donald Hughes. Don and Shirley were married for 58 years when Don passed away. Don was previously married to Betty Carver Hughes Wright and had his first two children, son Leslie Carver Hughes and daughter Susan Kay Hughes. Don is survived by his wife Shirley, sons Ted and Daniel, 7 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters-in-law: Kathleen Wells, Linda Reese (Rick), Bonnie Craddock, Debbie Howison, brother-in-law Dan Peterson (Suzi), and daughter-in-law Becky Hughes. He is predeceased by his parents, Lola and Leslie Hughes, children Leslie Hughes and Kay Hammock, in-laws Maxine and Boyce Goates, and brothers-in-law: John Wells and John Howison. A viewing service will be held at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel in Visalia from 5 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, March 27th. He will be laid to rest on Friday, March 28th at Visalia District Cemetery at 11 am. Don's presence will be deeply missed by his family and friends. The family wishes to thank Kaweah Health Hospice, Visalia Post Acute, Janee Glaspie, and Toni Navarro for their kind and loving care of Don through his illness. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Donald Miller Hughes

September 23, 1938 - March 11, 2025