Traverse City - Howard Arthur Hughes, 77, of Williamsburg, passed away peacefully Friday, January 25, 2019 at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City.

Art was born on March 4, 1941 to the late Carl and Meriam (Schlatter) Hughes in Detroit. On February 18, 1961, he married the love of his life, Helen "Kay" Banta in Plymouth, MI. In 1971, they moved to Traverse City to make a better life for their family.

Art and Kay celebrated 56 years of marriage at her passing in 2017. They lived 48 years in Traverse City, and for 24 years enjoyed spending their winters in North Naples, Florida. They felt fortunate to have enjoyed 30 years of retirement.

Art was a businessman and entrepreneur. He loved his involvement in Trylon Corporation (Traverse City) from 1971 until it's sale in 1989 where he and his partners proudly grew opportunities for their employees as the company was recognized as a Tier 1 supplier for the automotive industry. After retirement, he occupied his days with real estate developments where he further created business mentorships that were very rewarding for him.

Art cherished his family and took pride in being a teacher of life's lessons for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many of his proudest moments were of his family. Sunday family dinners were a tradition in the Hughes' household, and provided an opportunity to maintain a closeness recognized by many as "special."

Friendships developed in the early-70's remained lasting friendships "to the end" for Art and Kay. This support system was an integral part of their life. Together with family and friends throughout life, Art was an avid fisherman, loved boating, hunting, camping, snowmobiling, landscaping his yard and biking. Let it not be forgotten, Art was a great storyteller of his adventures!

Art lives on through the family he loved so dearly; his daughters, Jeannie (Tim) Thaxton and Beth (Marc) Moeggenberg, all of Williamsburg; his grandchildren, Jillian Thaxton of Traverse City, Ross Thaxton (fiancée, Justine Ewing) of Aurora, IL; Jordan Moeggenberg (fiancée, Lindsey Kukla) of Traverse City; Brittany Moeggenberg (boyfriend, Kyle Ensley and his son, Jojo) of Kingsley, Brianna (Beni) Traore of Lansing; and his great grandchildren, Cameron (Thaxton) Marcero and Kayanna Traore. Art is also survived by his siblings, Norman (Sue) Hughes of Metamora; Ernest Hughes of Wolverine, Catherine (Nick) Fitrakis of Redford and Steve (Barb) Hughes of Livonia, his sister-in-law Karen (Dave) Bartski, and Bruce Bartski (a nephew who held a special place in his heart). He is also survived by his fiancée Linda Belcher. Art was preceded in death by his wife Kay on July 15, 2017, his parents and parents-in-law and his siblings Ronald and John Hughes.

A Celebration of Art's Life will be held in the spring. For those who wish to make a monetary contribution to honor Art's life, the family asks that you consider the Cowell Family Cancer Center or Munson Hospice House, both through the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation, 1150 Medical Campus Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684.