CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Flags in Kanawha County and at all state of West Virginia facilities will be flown at half-staff on Wednesday to honor the memory of a longtime judge.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued the order in honor of the late Justice Thomas E. McHugh. He was 88 years-old when he passed away on January 14.
Justice McHugh served as a member of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia in 1980 and was re-elected in 1992, and retired at the end of 1997. He returned to the bench when he was appointed to help during Justice Joseph Albright’s illness. When Justice Albright passed away McHugh was elected to serve the rest of Justice Albright’s term before returning to private practice. Prior to that he served as a circuit judge in Kanawha County.
The Charleston native graduated from the WVU College of Law after he served in the United States Army from 1958-1961.
Justice McHugh is survived by his wife, Judith; their four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
According to his obituary, his funeral services were held last week.