obituaries

in remembrance of…

Dr John David Hughes

(b September 1941, Tonypandy, q1965, Welsh National School of Medicine, d November 2024, Cardiff)

John was born in Tonypandy, South Wales, to John and Margaret Hughes in September 1941. During the War, his father was stationed in London, so the family moved to Richmond for a short time, before returning to Wales and eventually settling in Porthcawl. John initially attended Cowbridge Grammar School, and later Cardiff High School when they relocated to Cardiff in 1954.

The family began attending Heath Presbyterian (now Evangelical) Church, where John formed two relationships that would shape the rest of his life. The first was at age 15, when he gave his life to Christ at a Church Mission. The second came two years later when he met Marilyn, who would become his wife in 1964 for the next 60 years. They would go on to have four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

John qualified from the Welsh National School of Medicine in 1965. After various hospital jobs, he became a GP in the Heath area of Cardiff, where he was eventually joined by Dr Derrick Ward. In 1984, they moved to a newly converted building on Whitchurch Road.

Mark Wiltshire writes: ‘I first met John in 1979 when I was an 18-year-old medical student. He and Marilyn hosted a monthly Christian Medical Fellowship “meal with a message” meeting. The novelty of free food, comparatively rare in those days, meant it was always a popular meeting! It also gave us an opportunity to meet Christian doctors, several of whom were very senior in the medical school, and to hear their wisdom on a range of ethical dilemmas. I will never forget the Hughes’ example of service and faithfulness over many decades, impacting scores of Christian medical students. Little did I realise that nine years later, I would join the partnership at Whitchurch Road. John was, in many ways, the ideal senior partner. He was totally reliable, unflappable, and supportive. He was a traditional GP but never blocked innovations from the junior partners. His clear, unwavering Christian faith shaped his medical practice and all his interactions with staff and patients. I count it a privilege to have worked closely with him until his retirement in 2001.’

Whilst John’s profession was medicine, his faith was in Jesus Christ. He sought to show the care and kindness of the Great Physician in his own work. A patient and family friend who was battling cancer once shared how he told her, ‘As your doctor, I’ve done everything I can for you; as your Christian friend, I will pray with you.’

John remained in Heath Church for 70 years, serving as a deacon during that time. He and Marilyn often opened up their home to visitors, including visiting missionaries, and hosted Bible studies and prayer meetings. The Hugheses were active members of Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons International), sitting on the National Cabinet, travelling the UK and beyond to spread the gospel. They would frequently give away copies of the Bible to any they came into contact with. John believed in the power of God’s Word to transform lives.

John was called Home on Monday, 11 November 2024, aged 83. Although we grieve his sudden loss, we thank God for his life and take comfort that he is now with Christ, which is far better. For John, to live was Christ and to die was gain.

Andrew Lansdown (nephew) and Mark Wiltshire

Other members who have died recently:

Dr Ethel Anne Richardson

(q 1954, Leeds, d June 2024)

Dr John Lang

(q 1958, Cambridge, d October 2024) served as a GP in Devon

Dr John Kennedy

(q 1956, King’s College, London, d November 2024) served as a GP in Essex

Dr Eric MacKay

(q 1951, St Andrews, d 2024) served as a GP in Glasgow

As we were going to press, we were sad to learn of the death of Dr Marjory Foyle on 9 April 2025 at the age of 103. We will be writing a more fulsome obituary for this remarkable heroine of medical mission in the autumn 2025 edition.

want to contribute?

If you would like to write an obituary or notify us of the passing of a member, please email communications@cmf.org.uk