Simply CremationDean Randall Hughes
Dean Randall Hughes, 63, of Surprise, Arizona died on September 18, 2023. He was born on November 14, 1959, at Fort Campbell Kentucky to Alice Woodhead and Rolland Hughes.
Life was like a casino to Dean. Sometimes you lost, sometimes you broke even and if you were lucky sometimes you hit the jackpot but if you were having fun with the people, you love and had a good time it was a win/win game.
Dean loved cooking with his son Ty and his mother Alice, but Dean’s real passion was bartending, and his second home was the Bellagio Hotel and Casino where he worked in Las Vegas. He was the best of the best when it came to his skills as a bartender. Not only could Dean make you the best-tasting drink you’d ever had he also had the magical ability to talk to anyone and make them feel like the most important person in the world. He had many regulars who would search him out across the entire casino just so they could sit and talk with him. Dean also had a long list of celebrities who would always make sure to find him when they came to stay at the Bellagio and would give him tickets to their shows and events as a thank-you for his work. One of the main reasons Dean was so good at his job was that he just loved to take care of people.
Dean had the presence of an Old Hollywood Movie Star. He was the long-lost member of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack. Dean was always meticulously dressed, his mustache was always perfectly styled, and he was always tanned. He was charming beyond belief and could talk you into anything.
Dean met the love of his life Pamela Yenger, at the Old Ox Restaurant in San Diego, California. She had just moved to the city and wanted a drink to unwind when Dean saddled up next to her with a glass of Bailey’s. Charming as ever Dean quickly won over her heart and the two of them married. They celebrated their marriage twice. Once at The Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas but a second time for a traditional wedding at the Le Meridien Resort in San Diego. Dean’s dad, Rolland Hughes gave them their wedding vows. Everyone called them “Barbie and Ken”. Anytime someone told Dean how lucky he was to have Pam he always responded, “I know How lucky I am”.
Dean was enamored with Pam’s daughter, Carrie from the first time they met. He absolutely worshipped the ground she walked on. When Carrie and her husband had their daughter, Amara, history repeated itself and Dean fell in love all over again.
But Dean’s greatest gift of his lifetime was his son, Ty. Dean’s world was wrapped around Ty’s accomplishments from high school sports and scholarships, college degrees, master’s degrees, joining the Navy, and getting into law school through Dean’s stories his customers, friends, and family know how his father loved him and how proud he was of Ty. Ty had his heart.
Dean lived in a lot of places but San Diego he loved. A tan on his face, sand in his toes, and the sound of the ocean. It is only fitting that he goes out with one final champagne toast. There is no denying the immense pain that the loss of Dean has brought to all who know him, but even if for just a moment, let us all lift one final glass and toast to Dean. Let’s Remember the amazing life he lived the people he loved and the ones who loved him.
Dean is survived by his wife Pamela Hughes and son Ty Hughes of Las Vegas, Nevada, Daughter Carrie, Son-in-law Scott and Granddaughter Amara Shepherd of Xenia, Ohio, Parents Rolland and Alice Hughes of Peoria, Arizona. Sisters Penny Gehrs of St. Louis, Missouri, and Sherry Booz of Scottsdale Arizona.
Thank you for entrusting Simply Cremation & Funeral Arrangements to handle the final arrangements for Mr. Hughes. My thoughts remain with Pamela and the rest of his family and friends during this difficult time.