Gene Lewis Hughes Sr.

Like life, people who play golf encounter all kinds of challenges. Water hazards, sand traps and time in the rough are common occurrences. But Gene Lewis Hughes, Sr., a scratch golfer, found himself in a really deep swale in July 2003 when he was diagnosed with cancer.

He thought about all of the things he enjoyed doing and figured they had all ended because of that news. But most importantly he thought about his family and his friends. How would they deal with him and his disease?

Following that golf metaphor, he was fortunate to have not only his loving wife Dorothy and son Gene II, but also the pros from Bronson Battle Creek Cancer Care Center in his foursome. He learned that from the moment of diagnosis, a patient is considered a survivor. Battling cancer takes enormous strength, and much of it is attitude.

Hughes worked at Kellogg Company for more than 30 years. Work at Kellogg was rewarding, but his real passion was golf. Every chance he got he played a round or two. He never had a golf lesson, but by studying and observing others he seemed to have a knack for the sport. His golf handicap hovered around zero. He won a number of tournaments including five Senior Club Championships at the Battle Creek Country Club; three Club Championships at the Battle Creek Country Club; won Ron LaParl Medal Play; and was twice named Player of the Year in the Calhoun County Golf Association.

Like every golfer, he aspired to make or break par and, perhaps even get a hole-in-one along the way. It must have been more than luck for Hughes because he made seven holes-in-one, his last three while he was undergoing cancer treatment.

Hughes, and his wife Dorothy, who retired as a clinical pharmacist at Bronson Battle Creek, began playing golf together after they graduated from Ferris State University. The Hughes have a son and daughter-in-law, Gene II and Amy; and two grandchildren, Anthony James, and Gianna Nicole. Speaking philosophically, Gene said that he continued to pursue his golf game—it was part of his therapy. Regarding his chemotherapy, Hughes said, “I have discovered something else about playing golf. It tests you, not against others, but against a standard. If you keep that in mind, it helps put things
into perspective like life and death.”

Gene L. Hughes, Sr. died in January 2008; his faith in God got him through this difficult time. He played golf one hole at a time savoring every stroke no matter where the ball might end up—whether in the rough or fairway. During his last year of life, he said “Today the greens are greener than I remember
them, the sand traps not nearly as intimidating as before, and those with whom I play golf, are more treasured.”