Carroll W. Hughes

Carroll W. Hughes, a brilliant, loving man with a mischievous sense of humor, died on 13 September 2026, age 79, in Dallas, Texas. Born in Wichita, KS in 1947, son of the late Carroll White Hughes (1910-1960) and Margaret Davis Hughes (1908-1994), he moved with his family to Dodge City, KS and graduated from high school in 1965. There he also met his wife of 60 years, Linda K. Hughes, nee Stauth (b. 1948). They married as teenagers and became parents of their beloved daughter, Heather L. Johnson (nee Hughes). He is also survived by his son-in-law Brian Johnson and the grandchildren who brought Carroll so much joy, Colin Michael Johnson and Haley Ann Johnson.

After his undergraduate degree from Wichita State University in 1970, he went on to earn two PhDs', one from the University of Missouri in 1973 in experimental and physiological psychology, and another from the University of South Carolina in 1983 in clinical and experimental psychology, augmented by post-doctoral training in pediatric psychology. With the second Ph.D. his career shifted from academic teaching appointments to clinical, research, and administrative positions. Beginning as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Kansas University Medical School, 1983-84, he became Director of Psychology at the Kansas Neurological Institute, 1985-86, Director of Topeka State Hospital, 1986-88, Director of Psychology at Terrell State Hospital (Texas), 1988-2000, then Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 1989-2012, where he specialized in diagnosing and researching childhood and adolescent depression and related pediatric disorders. Concurrently, he served as Director of Research at the Shelton School, Dallas, 2006-11. A rigorous, productive researcher throughout his postgraduate and postdoctoral career, his peer-reviewed research articles published as a UTSW faculty member alone earned over 5000 citations by other scholarly works, leading to the coveted recognition of ABPP, certification by the American Board of Pediatric Psychologists. He retired in 2012.

Those closest to him were most captivated by his ready smile and teasing paired with loving concern for the welfare and happiness of family above all, but also close friends. A former French horn player (and drum major) in high school, he played French horn after joining the Topeka Symphony, and both he and Linda were dedicated attendees at Dallas Symphony Concerts from 1989 until his death. He was also a fan of ballet, theater, and travel. A celebration of his life will be held in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to any of the following: the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the T. Boone Pickens YMCA (Dallas), and the Audubon Cedar Ridge Preserve (Dallas).