John Marcus “Sonny” Hughes, Jr.

Robert A. Waters Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | December 06, 2025

John Marcus Hughes, Jr. (AKA Sonny), was the youngest of four children born to John Marcus Hughes, Sr. and Juanita Hughes (Neenie). Sonny was born on December 8, 1950, in the McKeesport Hospital. Not only was he the youngest, but he was the only boy, preceded by sisters Betty, and Beverly. From the very beginning, Sonny was the family favorite not only to his sisters, but also to his mother Neenie.

Early on, Sonny showed an interest in the sport of fracturing furniture in the family home on Edith Street. In Order to stop the destruction, at Christmas, he was given football and baseball equipment. As they say, “the rest is history.” Even though Sonny excelled in baseball and basketball, football was the sport where he truly excelled. Playing football with the nationally renowned McKeesport Little Tigers propelled him into the public consciousness. From that beginning, playing running back and quarterback, he went on to become the most outstanding football player in Duquesne High School History, earning  All-State Honors. Following his high school career, he elected to attend Ohio State University when he was personally recruited by the head coach of OSU, Woody Hayes.

While he did not win any Grammys while appearing in four Rose Bowls with Ohio State University, he did win the approval of several Tonys. Tony Dorsett, whom he hosted on a recruiting visit to Ohio State, went on to win the 1976 Heisman trophy while playing at Pitt, and Tony Dungey the first black coach to win a Super Bowl, and while playing quarterback for the University of Minnesota, was told not to test the Ohio State defensive backs Jack Tatum, Neil Colzie, and Sonny Hughes.

As good as a football player Sonny was, he was an even better person, well-liked and loved by everyone he came in contact with. He was strong in his faith and was baptized at an early age at Jerusalem Baptist Church, where he also served as a member of the Trustee Board for a period of time. It was his strong faith in God that allowed him to overcome a few difficult periods during his lifetime. He started a career as a personal trainer, that led to his forming a successful company that he operated until his health failed him.

Sonny was at his happiest when he was spending time with his family and attending family events. It seems that he was always with one of his daughters at their homes or just enjoying their company at one of his home cookouts. His daughters, Tammi McMillan, Brandy Pawling, Saunnie Tisony, and Amanda Hughes, grandson E.J. Oliver, and brother/nephew Ronnie Corbett, always made sure they checked in to ensure all was well with him. As a matter of fact, he lived with Amanda, who, supported by her mother, Sharon Saunders, provided daily care for Sonny during his lengthy illness. It would be remiss to not mention his sister Marva, who was with her “baby brother” through all of his good and bad times. Sonny and Marva shared a bond that never diminished throughout his entire life.

He is survived by his children, Dr. Tammi McMillan, Saunnie Tisony, Brandy Pawling, and Amanda Hughes, Haji Morgan and Marcus Delaney; Sister, Marva Hughes Haynes (Lewis); seven grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Arrangements were in charge of Robert A. Waters Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Marcus (Sonny) Hughes, Jr., please visit our floral store.

Originally published December 06, 2025.

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