Michael D. "Mike" Hughes

Michael Duane Hughes is off hunting for good, no doubt with his trusty poodles in tow. He was 56 when he left us unexpectedly on April 22, 2024. He was born August 16, 1967, to Stephen and Shirley (Tumpak) Hughes of Hadley, Pennsylvania.

By trade, Mike was a mechanic with over 35 years of experience working on a bit of everything that needed fixing, but he can't be defined by just that. Mike was the guy you called if you needed help with most anything. To his friends, he was a big brother or Uncle Mike. He was the guy who walked from Georgia to Maine in 1991—because he could. To his family, he was Mikey—the kid always outdoors, running around looking for animals to bring home or sitting up in a tree, waiting for some unsuspecting deer. The man who called home every Sunday and laughed over silly things with his mom and dad. To his wife, he was the best man she ever brought home to meet her family—the guy her dad approved of, the guy who always knew how to hold her close and let her fly.

Mike's biggest loves were the outdoors, hunting, his dogs and cats, his family and friends, and Jill Snyder, whom he married in 1992. They left their homes in Pennsylvania and North Carolina without jobs, a place to live, and $1800 in cash to make Casper, Wyoming a home. He cherished his adopted state, with its open space, wildlife, and lack of people. They were together for a total of 36 years and a few months.

He is survived by his wife, Jill, his parents, brothers, Don Hughes and Stephen (Dawn) Hughes, three nieces; Raegan, Devyn, and Courtney, his mother-in-law, Polly Snyder; brother-in-law, James (Sherry) Snyder, and many other extended family members, beloved friends and his "furkids": Frank, Butch, Minnie, Leonard, Mama Mouse, and his spirit animal, Brenda Boop.

He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, his "bonus" grandparents, Bob and Jane McQuaid; his father-in-law, James Snyder, Jr; his grandparents-in-law, Paul and Roxie Beeson, and his beloved pets Mighty Max, Picklesack, Romeo, Sissy, Cookie, Tortie, Kayleigh, and Lilly.

A memorial will be held at a future date to celebrate Mike's life. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to honor Mike to the Casper Humane Society at 849 East E Street, Casper, WY 82601 or a Trap/Neuter/Release program in your area.

He kept his powder dry.

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