J. Michael Hughes
August 8, 1942 — June 6, 2024
John Michael Hughes V, or “Mike” as everyone fondly knew him, was born in San Diego, California on August 8, 1942 to John Michael Hughes IV and Edith Elaine Strom. Mike’s father was a police officer for the San Diego Police Department who became a Detective, while his mother Edith—a second generation American whose parents immigrated from Sweden—was a loving homemaker. Mike attended local public schools until 8th grade and then went to St. Augustine High School where he excelled academically and participated on the golf and track teams. Mike loved music and taught himself how to play guitar and banjo while in high school. The first in his family to attend college, Mike earned a scholarship to the University of San Diego, where he met Jean Kathleen McMillan, his future wife. During college Mike formed a music trio, singing and playing both guitar and banjo in coffeehouses and at parties; he enjoyed performing classic folk tunes from the Kingston Trio to Woody Guthrie and even his own original music. He excelled academically at USD and was elected Student Body President during his senior year. Mike graduated from USD in 1964 with a BA in History and went on to law school at USD. During his second year of law school, Mike and Jeannie were married at her parents’ parish, St. Cyril’s Church, on July 9, 1966. Only months before graduating with his JD in 1967, Mike and Jeannie welcomed their first child, John Michael Hughes VI. Mike clerked in the San Diego Court of Appeals for one year before accepting a position with Davis & Killian Law Firm in Los Angeles. The family moved to Sherman Oaks where Mike and Jeannie would remain for 25 years to raise three additional children: James, Thomas and Amy. They enrolled all four children in their local parish grade school, St. Cyril’s, where Mike was an active parishioner and regular lector at Sunday mass. Eventually, Mike launched his own private law practice and despite its demands, he remained a devoted father to his children, often coaching their youth sports teams or avidly attending their school events throughout grade school and high school. All four children were enrolled and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, where Mike also served as President of the Board of Directors by the time his youngest Amy had graduated.
Beginning in 1983, in addition to practicing law, Mike began managing and operating a skilled nursing facility, Intercommunity Care Center, in Long Beach, California, where he would go on to serve as President until his passing. He and Jeannie eventually moved to Naples Island in Long Beach, California, where Mike continued to enjoy playing golf, boating with friends and family, and witnessing the birth and growth of his nine grandchildren. Like he did with his own children, Mike loved to attend his grandchildren’s school and sporting events, and when he did, he always let you know he was your biggest fan! During his time in Long Beach, Mike was an active parishioner at St Bartholomew Church and a member of both Virginia Country Club and the Long Beach Yacht Club. He will be remembered by all who knew him for his warm smile, sharp intellect and wit, his patient, kind-hearted demeanor, and his devotion to family, friends and a life of strong moral character and good will.
In lieu of flowers, we invite family and friends to make a tax-deductible donation to the J.Michael Hughes Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of San Diego Law School—a merit-based scholarship awarded to a first-generation college student.
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