4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
DEMORE, CHARLES HUGH “HUGHIE”
Charles Hugh “Hughie” DeMore, Phoenix native and longtime resident, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, December 1, 2022, less than a mile from where he was born. He was the first of twin boys to come into this world on June 29, 1929, at St. Joseph’s Hospital; his parents were Mayme Smith and Charles DeMore.
After graduating from St Mary’s High School in 1947 and serving a short stint in the Air Force during the Korean War, Hughie started the Universal Drywall Company with his best friend, Walter “Blackie” Cave. Over a span of 75 years, together they grew that initial start-up into a variety of business ventures, including cotton farming, commercial real estate, aircraft sales, leasing and operations, restaurant ownership, and clandestine international operations in a variety of war-torn nations during the 1970’s and ‘80’s, the nature of which may never be fully revealed. Flying as captain in politically unstable countries and meeting challenging operational assignments from private and governmental entities was a testament to his intelligence, tenacity and fearless optimism.
While running Universal, Hughie earned his pilot’s license. Over his lifetime, he owned too many aircraft to list, beginning with a Stinson and culminating in a Boeing 707. He especially loved flying the P-51 Mustang and anything Beechcraft built, including the “Twin Beech.” He flew for business and pleasure, often terrifying his passengers, especially his friends and family, with his airborne antics. For over 30 years he served as Captain for a number of carriers, both domestic and foreign. His other early passion was racing “Midget” race cars during the 1950s, along with one of his inspirations, Jimmy Bryan, who went on to win the Indianapolis 500 in 1958, only to be killed two years later in a crash. Hughie’s racing career was cut short when, unbeknownst to him, his mother (who he adored) managed to get his sponsorship revoked by threatening his tire store owning sponsor with death. He didn’t discover that fact until many years later and somehow found it in his heart to forgive her.
Hughie was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann, his daughter, Janet, his grandson, Andrew, his twin brother, Allan, and his sister, Elizabeth “Beanie” Thornton. Hughie leaves behind three sons, Chuck, Brian and Joshua, four daughters, Kathleen, Kristin, Paula and Jessica, 18 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews.
Hughie lived a full life spanning 93 years, mostly due to his love of adventure, enthusiasm for life, and positive outlook. He was often heard gregariously addressing friends with his common expression, “What do ya know?!” Nobody told a story like Hughie did; his laugh was infectious. He lived life on his terms, never taking no for an answer. He will be missed by those who loved him, and remembered by all those whose lives he touched.
A service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 9, 2022 at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street in Phoenix. A celebration of life will follow at Dad’s home. All are welcome! Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
What a storied life! Such an inspiration to those like me who only knew him secondhand and aspire to accomplish more with the time we have left. Sincere condolences and we’ll wishes as you continue to celebrate his life.
I taught Mr. DeMore’s son Brian during my second year at Saint Mary’s High School. He was a really good kid. I shared that feeling with “Hughie” at Report Card Night, and he certainly agreed. It was a sacramental moment. I pray that the family takes good care of themselves…
My name is Kimberly “Kim” Koldoff Kasper. My father was Clarence “Casey” Koldoff. He grew up with “Hughie” and they attended St. Mary’s School together. My dad also had a great love of airplanes and flying. My Grandma once told me while in high school he and some friends (probably Hughie included) bought an airplane. She said they hand pushed it through the streets of Phoenix until they could get it somewhere to fly. I vividly remember as a small child standing near a runway at the airport with Hughie watching my dad take off in an airplane and Hughie letting me listen to him on a radio. I also know our first family pet, Kitty Koldoff came from Hughie. She lived to be 17 years old. In the late 1950’s, against my mother’s wishes my dad quit his stable (in her opinion) job at Walsh Bros. Office Supplies to go to work at Universal Drywall with Hughie and Blackie. They scored the drywall contract for the U-Haul Building on Central Avenue. To this day I think of that building as Hughie and dad’s building. I also know about some of the “clandestine international operations”. My dad went to Thailand in 1975 on one of those “clandestine” trips with Hughie. At my dad’s funeral in 1999 Hughie told me, “when I asked your dad to go on that trip he told me ‘Patsy will divorce me’. Well what do ya know, she did”. I wanted to say I’m so sorry for your loss and thank you for the memories of a life well lived.
I knew Hughie well and flew with him on occasion. He was always fun to talk to and had some great stories about flying in Asia and Africa.
Really miss him.