Thomas Joseph "TJ" Hughes, 45, passed away on March 19, 2022, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was born, May 24, 1976, in Washington, to Charles Vencen Hughes and Rebecca (Rayman) Hughes Tipton. During his lifetime, Thomas acquired many nicknames, including Amigo, Green Milk, the Diesel Guy, and a few others that shouldn't be published. But, most often, he was just "TJ." In 1996, he first met Amanda Spraggs, who swore she would "never date a guy like that." She later ate those words as they were married in December of 2005. TJ and Amanda were later blessed with two amazing daughters, Hannah Grace, 18, and Gabrielle Ryleigh, 14. Having two teenaged daughters made TJ realize that the only thing that truly terrified him was teenage boys.

After graduating high school in 1995, TJ went to work in the automotive service industry. In 2007, TJ started Tri County Diesel out of his garage in Bethalto, Illinois. Within a few short years, he outgrew the garage and moved his business to Godfrey, Illinois. TJ specialized in complex diesel engine repairs and performance enhancements. His vast knowledge of diesel engines and experimentation with difficult repair techniques garnered a wide following and a keen familiarity with which shop-related wounds would buff and which might actually require medical attention. TJ had customers all over the United States and consulted as far away as Australia. He mentored many individuals over his years in the industry and was incredibly proud of what he'd built from the ground up. His main business principle was to always treat the customer right, and that's why they came back and sent their friends to the Diesel Guy.

TJ never met a stranger and couldn't go anywhere without bumping into a friend. Many exits were delayed by TJ seeing someone he knew and stopping to chat for a bit. Through Tri County Diesel, he acquired a whole new family, and we sincerely hope that all future diesel events involve at least one additional "rev" of a finely tuned engine for TJ.

In addition to his wife, Amanda; and daughters, Hannah and Garbrielle; TJ is survived by his parents, Charles Hughes and Rebecca Tipton; brother, Justin Hughes; step-brothers, Albert and Dave Carreon; step-sister, China R. Cital; his brothers-in-law, Manuel (April) Spraggs, Justin Spraggs; and sister-in-law, Tonya Spraggs; special friends, Jacki Lottes Webber, Rodger Wilson, Stephen Orlando, Jose Oseguera; and a host of cousins he got up to much mischief with in their younger days (and likely not so younger days). TJ was loved by many nieces and nephews: Mary, Ethan, Aubrey, Alyssa, Charity, Jaylen, JJ, Chloe, Claire, Jackson, Cece, Emma, Davin, Brexlee, and bonus nephews Connor and Vincent, all of whom he loved to spoil rotten.

TJ was preceded in death by his step-mother, Brenda L. Hughes; his paternal grandparents, Thomas and Letha Hughes; and his maternal grandparents, Richard and Patty Rayman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to an account established for his daughters, Hannah ad Gabrielle, at CNB Bank, 200 Homer M. Adams Parkway, Alton, Illinois 62002.

Visitation for TJ Hughes will be held 9:00 - 11:00 am, Saturday, March 26, 2022, at the Ed L. Lee Mortuary, North Chapel, 620 East Viola Avenue, in TJ's birthplace of Washington, Indiana.

A short service will follow.

Plans are underway for an additional Celebration of Life in the Alton, Illinois, area in the coming weeks. Details will be posted to the Tri County Diesel Facebook page as they are finalized.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.edleemortuary.com


The staff of the Ed Lee Mortuary is honored to have been entrusted with the arrangements for TJ Hughes.

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