Just seven years into his career as a journalist, Eddie Hughes had made international contributions with both his investigative reporting, feature writing and photography.
But reminiscing with fellow newsmen about the coverage surrounding the John Kennedy assassination in Dallas, Texas, they all seemed to realize they had been "going through the motions" for the last two years.
"We had covered the biggest story of our careers," Hughes said.
At age 29, public relations lured Hughes away from newspapers. He held a 25-year career with Southwestern Bell, now AT&T. Then he spent eight years operating his own business, writing and editing travel magazines in New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado.
Four years ago, Hughes and his wife relocated to Jefferson City to be closer to family in Missouri and Texas.