Alvin M. Hughes

Alvin M. Hughes 1926 - 2015

Alvin M. Hughes Jr., a retired school administrator and 54 year resident of Palos Verdes Estates, had a beautiful and active life end on February 25, 2015 with his loving wife Jean at his side, after complications from an infection and pneumonia.


Born in 1926 in the small town of Amery, Wisconsin to Alvin and Carrie Hughes (Thelen), Alvin Jr. moved with his family to California when his father went to work in the Wilmington shipyards during World War II. During and after the war he served in the Philippines with the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant.


After the service, marriage, and an eventful ride on an Indian Motorcycle from Wisconsin to California in the middle of winter, Alvin graduated from Los Angeles City College and the University of Southern California and then began an over 50 year career in education.


Alvin started as a middle school teacher in the Hawthorne School District and rose to Assistant Superintendent of Business, serving a total of 34 years in the district during a time of dramatic increases in student enrollment and school construction. After "retiring," his expertise in school construction and budgeting led him to a variety of interim positions with the Wiseburn, Lawndale, and Culver City school districts.


Alvin also served on two separate occasions as the Interim Assistant Superintendent of Business with the Palos Verdes Unified School District. After finally "retiring" from these full-time interim positions he went on to serve for several years as a member and Vice Chairman of PVUSD's Citizen's Joint Oversight Committee for Measures R and S; measures that, together with state funds, brought over $85 million in school facility improvements to the district over the past decade.


The family moved to Palos Verdes Estates in 1961, because at the time Hawthorne was "too expensive," and over the years Alvin was active in the Neighborhood Church, Boy Scout Troop 257, and the PV Breakfast Club while also being involved in the California Association of School
Business Officials and a long-time member and Past President of both the Hawthorne Rotary Club and Hawthorne YMCA. He also served on the board of the Pulmonary Education Research Foundation (PERF).


In addition to spending time with extended family, taking cross-country car trips, and welcoming international visitors into their home, Alvin enjoyed spending time with several card groups, including the affectionately named "Liars and Cheats."


Alvin leaves behind his loving wife of 64 years, Jean, daughter Yvonne, son and daughter-in-law Steve and Sue, and son Tom. Preceded in death by sisters Nadine and Marion and brothers Norbert and Ervin, Alvin is also survived by his sister Orpha Gorman of Huntington Beach, grandchildren Laura, Aaron and Jenny, great grandson Evan and dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at the Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes Estates on March 7 at Noon, with a graveside service at Green Hills Memorial Park on Friday March 6 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Pulmonary Education Research Foundation (perf2ndwind.org) or the Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund (Rotary.org).


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275