Date of Birth:  9-25-18  (Deceased 3-26-97)

Place of Birth:  Pike County MO

Married to wife, Bette Lou Hickman on 6-9-48.  Children:  Suzanne Butler Hughes; Barbara Lou Hughes; Joseph Clinton “Clint” Hughes II.

Dr. Hughes felt inspired to enter into veterinary school after his discharge from the military.  He enrolled in the first class at the new University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine graduating in 1950.   He remembers fondly the “camaraderie between all of the students and faculty in the new experience of developing a veterinary school.  It was like family.”  In his younger days, Dr. Hughes admired Dr. Stanley Smith not only for his ability as a veterinarian but his professional demeanor as well.  Dr. Smith practiced in Columbia and was also on the staff at the University of MO.

Upon graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Hughes had a mixed practice serving Laclede and surrounding counties.  His practice covered approximately thirty miles in two directions and fifty in the other two, at which time a two-way radio was used to communicate with his office staff.  Later, with more veterinarians, the miles covered were diminished.  Dr. Hughes designed and enlarged the building for his practice.  His brother, William H. Hughes, D.V.M. joined the practice in 1958. Dr. Hughes had an interesting experience in 1956 or 1957 when the University of MO College of Veterinary Medicine sent a veterinarian from Iran to live in the community and accompany Dr. Hughes on all of his professional activities during a period of about four to six weeks.

Dr. Hughes sold his practice in May of 1986 and fully retired in February of 1987.  He enjoyed playing golf until his health prevented him from doing so.  Missed most in his retirement were “the clients – the people.”

Professional Affiliations:

Missouri Veterinary Medical Association – Southwest Missouri Representative

Lifetime member MO Veterinary Medical Association

Lifetime member American Veterinary Medical Association