Lawrence Dorman Hughes, Sr.

lawrence hughes, sr.
Larry worked as an attorney for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a member of the General Counsel staff for 45 years. Retired in 2004, Larry continued to work as a consultant to the USDA under the Retiree's program that he helped establish. Born in 1929 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and currently of McLean, Virginia. Larry graduated from Marquette University Law School. During the Korean War, Larry was assigned to the Judge Advocate's Court at Fort Benning, Georgia. Married to Alice Jeannette Fain on February 5th, 1955, Larry began private practice as an attorney in the greater Milwaukee area in Wisconsin. He soon joined the United States Forest Service, General Counsel Staff at the Milwaukee Field Office. In 1977 Larry transferred to the USDA, Washington DC, relocating with his family to the McLean area. He served as a staff member for the USDA Office of the General Counsel from 1977 through 2004. Larry retired at 75, so he could enjoy what he loved most: traveling with his wife, spending time with family and loved ones, conducting genealogical research, painting, enjoying a beautiful sunset or a rising storm, working in his garden, bird watching, and sailing and motor boating on the Alafia River, Tampa Bay, and the Gulf in Florida. As Ratty said to Mole in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, (one of Larry's favorites to read to his grandchildren), "There is nothing absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Larry volunteered with his wife in the support of the Smithson String Quartet, and at National Air and Space Museum, as well as at National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center. He had a life-long affinity with work, writings, and times of President Abraham Lincoln; he always enjoyed historical tomes (Lee's Lieutenants) over even the best of fiction. He was loved by, and he loved and enjoyed his large family. Larry would laugh at the Zorba the Greek line when Zorba is asked whether or not he is married, Zorba says.. "Wife, children, house, everything. The full catastrophe..." Often, when all were gathered together Larry would delightedly quip, "Where did all these people come from?"

Larry is survived by, Alice, his loving wife of 56 years; four children: Lawrence Hughes, Jr.; Charlotte, Hughes; Paul Hughes; and, Kathy (Kevin) Romance. Five grandchildren: Lauren and Austin Hughes; and, Meghan, Patrick, and Caitlynn Romance; and one great-granddaughter, Kaylee Hughes.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Lutheran Counseling & Family Services of Wisconsin at 3800 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53222; Web address www.lcfswi.org.



Larry lived his life by the ideals of dedication and duty to family, kindness toward others, pride in a job well done ("a good piece of work," he would say), and of the beauty and clarity of the Law, "the rule of law." He was a man well loved, and a gentle-man quick to accept and befriend others. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him.



Service to be held March 8, 2011, at 3 PM at the Old Post Chapel, Ft. Myers Arlington, VA; followed by processional to Grave site, with a brief grave side service, a reception will follow at Ft. Myers Officers Club about 4 PM.

Funeral Home:

Money & King Funeral Home

171 W. Maple Ave.

Vienna, VA

US 22180

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  1. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Larry Sr. left behind a close and loving family, and we grieve for you all. Sincerely,

  2. I worked will Larry as he reviewed deeds for the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. It was an interesting challenge teaching Larry about program policy and formatting Microsoft Word documents as he edited the deeds for us. He was very helpful and patient with us as he reviewed the deeds and taught us about the finer points of easement deed review. He will be missed!

  3. My deepest sympathy to Alice and family. I know both Alice and Larry from the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum where they both have brought their gentle sunshine and brightened up the place for us all.

  4. I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the family of Larry Hughes. I had the pleasure of working with Larry from 1991-2004 in the USDA General Counsel’s Office. He was a kind and caring colleague and a warm presence in our office. I hope your memories of Larry will be a continuing source of comfort.

  5. Our family extends our sincerest condolences during this time. Larry was a fine man with strong purpose in his life. May you find strength in those memories of him. Your family is in our prayers.

  6. Larry was a true gentleman with a gentle smile and not a bad word to say about anyone. He was a fine attorney and I very much enjoyed o working with him during my time with NRCS. My prayers are with each of you as you morn his loss.


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