Charles Forsythe Hughes: In Memory
June 23, 1930 - September 20, 2026
Charles “Chuck” F. Hughes, 96, died peacefully on September 20, 2026, at his home in Reno, Nevada.
Born on June 23, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois to Alvin W. and Emmy Hughes, Charles built a life marked by music, family, and steady dedication to the things he loved most. He graduated from Boulder Creek High School in Boulder Creek, CA and began developing the passion that would shape much of his life while still a young boy in Chicago. Music was part of his family from the beginning, with his mother a dancer (who lovingly called him “Bicky”) and his uncle a voice teacher. He first studied piano before turning to drums, the instrument that became his lifelong calling. By age 10 he had drumsticks in his hands; at 13 he had a snare drum; and by 14 he had a full drum kit set-up. At 16 he got his first “real” job at a five-star restaurant in Boulder Creek, beginning a path that led him into the music profession. His idol was Gene Krupa, an American jazz drummer, bandleader, and composer. Charles married his high school sweetheart, Marie, and they started their family. They were married for 56 years.
Charles played various gigs throughout the San Jose and San Francisco areas before eventually touring as a professional drummer. Over the course of his career, he worked with an exceptional range of performers. Beginning in 1964, he toured all over the world with Jack Jones for nine years. He also traveled with Frank Sinatra Jr. for nine months. After that, he worked with Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, and Debbie Reynolds. He was with Liberace for 10 years, right up to the time of Liberace’s death. His final gig “on the road” was working with Patti Page with a highlight performance at Carnegie Hall. Lastly, in between traveling on the road, he was home in Tahoe and enjoyed being the house drummer at Harrah’s South Shore. And on a final note, amazingly, he played with a rehearsal band a month before he passed. Though his career included remarkable professional milestones, Charles remained humble about his work.
He was known as a drummer extraordinaire, but music was only one part of the life he built. Charles was devoted to his family and passionate about life. He enjoyed spending time with family, swimming in Lake Tahoe, skiing at Heavenly Valley, playing tennis, and working with his hands. He was a wood gatherer, chopper, stacker, and burner, and also a brick layer. He loved sports and was an enthusiastic fan of football (GO NINERS), baseball, and tennis. These were not passing interests, but enduring parts of the way he lived. In Tahoe, the home he shared with his wife, Marie, and his four children beginning in 1967 was a labor of love. Together, they made it their own through years of sacrifice, hard work, and dedication.
After Marie’s death in 2005, Charles later met Sherre, who brought support, care, and love into his life. They were married for 12 years. Charles and Sherre both shared a passion for music. Charles continued his music career playing jazz in the Reno-Tahoe area as The Chuck Hughes Trio with Sherre often accompanying the trio with her singing.
Charles was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie Hughes; son, Robert, at 6 months old; his brother, James Hughes, and his wife, Marilyn; his sister-in-law, Emily Cress, and her husband, George; his brother-in-law, Andrew Locatelli, and his wife, Lois; his nephew, James Hughes, and his wife, Lisa; and nephew, Mark Locatelli.
Charles is survived by his wife, Sherre Carnes Hughes; his children, James A. Hughes, David A. Hughes, Janet M. Hughes, and Andy J. Hughes (Corby); Sherre’s son Greg Sheldon (Sheri); his grandchildren, Megan Johnson (Adam), Shelby Francoeur-Snow (Brian), Katelyn Rodgers (Garrett), Jordan Pagaduan (Neiko), Allie Galas (Matt), Connor Hughes, Savannah Piccoli (Jake), Preston Hughes, and Chandler Hughes; Sherre’s grandchildren Aaron Sheldon (Katie) and Ashley Granger (Tyler); his great-grandchildren, Wyatt Snow, Liam Johnson, Etta Snow, Chloe Rodgers, Eli Johnson, Caden Rodgers, Gus Galas, Wes Galas, Harper Piccoli, and Navy Piccoli; step great-grandchildren, Asher Pagaduan and Leuca Pagaduan; Sherre’s great-grandson, Mason Sheldon; and his nieces and nephews, Daniel Hughes (Shari), Susan Whiteley (Chip), and Tom Locatelli (Monica); and other extended family members.
Charles will be remembered for the life he built with quiet determination and for the many parts of himself he gave to others: his musicianship, his devotion to family, his enjoyment of Lake Tahoe, his avid sports’ interests, and his outdoorsy home projects. He carried a youthful smile, a deep love for those closest to him, and a lifelong connection to music that began in childhood and stayed with him to the end. His memory remains with all who knew him. A service will be held on October 16, 2026, at 2:00 pm at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, located on the grounds of the Galilee Episcopal Camp, 1776 Hwy 50, Glenbrook, NV.
The service will be open to all. The inurnment and a celebration of life will be a private affair.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Charles’ memory to be made to the Reno Jazz Orchestra, 2590 Orovada Street, Reno, NV 89512. Please note that the donation is in honor of Charles F. Hughes.
You can also reach out to Chuck Reider, Reno Jazz Orchestra President by email at chuck.reider@renojazzorchestra.org