HOME OF: Torrance and Connie Hughes

MEEKER | Torrance and Connie Hughes of Meeker are this week’s “home of” honorees. Their children are hosting a 50th anniversary party for them Sept. 17. Their actual wedding date is Sept. 30.“Torrance’s sister Gracie (now Gracie Petrakian, the author of “Land of Tall Grass,” a history of Piceance Creek) was going to school in Silt and lived with my folks. When Torrance got out of the Navy, she introduced me to him my junior year of high school. We were married in Silt in 1961. We discussed getting married in either September or November, but got married in September due to hunting season. We lived on Piceance Creek the first 20 years we were married and have lived in Meeker the past 30 years,” Connie explained.Torrance was a ranch hand for Pat Johnson and worked construction after that. He was employed by TIC when they were building the nahcolite plant. When the plant was completed, White River Nahcolite hired him. He worked there until he retired.Connie worked at the C-B Oil Shale Tract for 10 years and the Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge Dept. 21 years.The Hughes’ have three children. Their daughter Torrie Cook and husband Dennis of Meeker have three daughters, Whitney, Cortney and Andrea. Whitney is married to Andrew Bercher. They have a 16-month old daughter Jaela and live in Grand Junction. Cortney is married to Scott Aldredge. They also live in Grand Junction. Andrea is a Meeker High School senior.Torrance and Connie’s daughter Wendy Tompkins and husband Saul of Grand Junction have seven children: Randon, Leah, Marty, Chelsea, Allison, Jordan and Savannah.Torrance and Connie’s son Pat Hughes and wife Becky (Coryell) live in Meeker with their children: Lathrop, Sydney and Logan.“We like camping, yard work, hunting and going to all the grandkids’ sports activities,” Connie said.“I like that you know just about everyone in Meeker. They are kind, generous and goodhearted. It’s nice to walk down the street and know everyone you speak with. We just like Meeker,” Connie added.