Jim H. Huffman

Jim Huffman was born at home on November 6, 1935 outside Ryan, Oklahoma. He passed into the next life on November 14, 2009 after battling chronic illnesses.

The Huffmans first came to Kansas territory as abolitionists in 1857. William Huffman, Jim's great-great grandfather, was a United Bretheren minister who felt compelled in 1857 to bring his family of 12 children to Kansas territory to fight slavery. Jim's great-grandfather, Jonas Davis, was too young to serve during the Civil War but four of his brothers did serve. Jonas Davis sought his future in Oklahoma territory in real estate and contracting along with his son, Frank, Jim's grandfather.

Jim was the first son of H.E. ("Hooley") and Juanita (Sanderson) Huffman. Two more boys were born into the family - Bill and Loyd. Hooley worked for Shell Oil so the family moved several times during Jim's early years. When Jim was in the 7th grade, the family moved to Elk City Oklahoma where they lived for many years. Soon after moving to Elk City, Jim attended a Halloween party and met his future wife, Marilyn Fuller. In high school, Jim was a talented musician in band playing several instruments and a gifted Elk City Elk football player. He also enjoyed hot rods, horses, and rodeo riding He worked part-time during high school at a "filling" (gas) station on old Route 66. At the "filling station" he met such notables as Jack Benny and Jackie Gleason. After graduating from Elk City High School, Jim joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed at George Air Force Base in Victorville, CA. He worked as an aircraft mechanic on F-102s Delta Wings and B-52s and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In May of 1956, Jim and Marilyn were married in the old Methodist Church on Hersey Street in Beloit, Kansas. They returned to California for three years where their first child, Kathy, was born in 1957. Jim's unit was scheduled to relocate to Thule, Greenland when he decided to separate from the Air Force. Jim, Marilyn and Kathy moved to Beloit, Kansas where Jim farmed Chick Fuller's (Marilyn's father) land and served as a deputy for the Beloit City Police force. Jim and Marilyn eventually bought the old Leslie place south of Beloit and Jim started farming full time. About this same time, Jim and Marilyn welcomed their second child and first son, Jeff.

Jim farmed his and Chick's land for many years. In addition, Jim raised cattle and hogs. One time when Jim was reminising about his life, he commented that out of all the things he had done in his life, he enjoyed raising animals the most. Jim was elected to the Board of Trustees for U.S.D. #273 where he served for close to 20 years. During the late 1970s, he started Huffman Trucking which he owned and operated until his retirement.

Jim had a life-long passion for hot rods and cars. He and his son, Jeff, restored a 1959 Chevorlet Apache pickup purchased new by Jim's dad, Hooley, from Fuller Chevorlet, Beloit. Jim bought a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline that featured five inline carburators. He attended many car shows with Jeff and his friend, Larry Gourley, and his brother Loyd. He and Marilyn took a monumental trip in 1998 traveling with a group of hot rod enthusiasts following the historic Route 66 all the way to California. He was working on a 1951 Chevrolet Fleetline, custom chopped top when his health interfered with his hobby.

For a time, Jim was a regular at morning and afternoon coffee breaks at various places around town. He enjoyed visiting and joking with his friends, discussing politics, and hearing the latest news. As his infirmity began to limit his outings, he still kept in contact with a few friends via the telephone. Jim enjoyed country music, NASCAR, court TV shows and the company of his constant companion, a long-haired dashund, Bubba.

He is preceeded in death by his father, Hooley Huffman in 1964 and his mother, Juanita Sanderson Huffman, in 1985. He is survived at home by his wife of 53 years, Marilyn Huffman and Bubba, the dog. He is also survived by daughter, Kathy Huffman Fontenot and husband Herman of Humble TX, and son, Jeff Huffman and wife, Patricia Schmitt Huffman of Stillwater, OK. Jim also enjoyed spending time with all four of his grandchildren: Clair Fontenot, Stephen Fontenot, Marla Huffman and Jillian Huffman. He is also survived by great-grandson - Andrew Elliot Fontenot.

Memorial services will be at 1:30 PM Tuesday, November 17, at the Beloit United Methodist Church. Memorials may be given to the church or the Mitchell County Humane Society. There will be no visitation-the body was cremated.