Retired Judge Leonard S. Hughes III Obituary
Retired Judge Leonard Hughes, III of Kansas City, Missouri, was born September 23,
1952, in Jacksonville, Florida to the union of Judge Leonard S. Hughes, Jr and Mamie
Currie Hughes.
Leonard attended Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri. He then earned a
bachelor’s degree in political science from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee,
where he joined Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He later earned a Juris Doctorate
degree from the University of Missouri.
Leonard embarked on a distinguished legal career including serving as a Jackson
County, Missouri Circuit Court judge and as a Kansas City Municipal Court judge where
he presided for 19 years. Throughout his tenure, Leonard presided over countless
cases with fairness, integrity and a deep respect for the rule of law. He was known for
his insightful rulings and compassionate demeanor, always striving to ensure that justice
was accessible to all.
Beyond his professional achievements, Leonard was deeply involved in his community.
A vocal advocate against domestic violence, he dedicated his time and expertise to
organizations such as Rose Brooks Center, where he served on the board of directors.
He also spoke monthly with inmates within the prison system. Throughout his adult life,
Leonard was vocal and impactful within Kansas City politics through his involvement
with Freedom Inc.
In his leisure time Leonard enjoyed reading, good food, and playing chess, board
games and cards.
He married Chandra Renee Gonzales-Hurtt (Charly), and together they built a life filled
with love and mutual support.
Leonard devoted his life to upholding justice and serving the community. He passed
peacefully on June 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death
by his father Leonard Jr.
Leonard was a devoted husband, son and father. He is survived by his loving wife,
Chandra; cherished mother, Mamie; children Meagan Hughes and Leonard (Jonas) S.
Hughes, IV; stepchildren Christina Randle and Vincent O. Matthews; grandchildren
Jaisen Guier and Gavin Guier; step-grandchildren Carli Hurtt Randle and Jackson
Randle; and siblings Dr. Kevin S. Hughes, Stephen C. Hughes, Esq., P. Shawn Hughes
sister Amy E. Hughes and a special uncle Mike Hughes. A host of cousins and close
friends.
The Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., July 2, 2025, at Watkins Heritage
Chapel, 4000 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd, Reverend Roy M. Gonzales officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Rose Brooks Center.
Donation Information: donations@rosebrooks.org 816.523.5550.
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Randy Barron
What an amazing life, though we who knew him when we attended the Rock are not surprised. Rest well, Sir!
Daniel Grothaus
I was very saddened to learn last week that Judge Leonard Hughes had passed away.
Marc and I became friends freshman year at Rockhurst, mainly because our paths kept crossing outside of class. We both started (and ended) our drama career in a very poorly attended freshman play. As two of the smallest guys in our class, we represented Rockhurst in a post-football game fight with some Ward HS goons. (I got belted. Marc took a razor blade to the gut.) We both thoroughly pissed off Beach Tuckness during the same phys ed class. And we had countless conversations about life in the USA in 1966-67.
We stayed in touch after college as he became Judge Leonard Hughes. I last spoke to Leonard about 5 years ago, when he called me in St Louis, out of the blue, and we spoke for more than an hour. Knowing Marc and knowing Judge Leonard, made me a better person. Rest In Peace Leonard.