Charles W. Huffman's Obituary
A longtime resident of Longview, Charles W. Huffman, passed away on January 18, 2025. He was the second son of Dee and Alice Huffman, well-known and highly respected citizens of Longview.
Growing up on Judson Road in Longview at a time when there were probably no more than ten houses between Highway 80 and the present-day Loop, he felt he had an ideal childhood. The family owned 35 acres, and he became the lawn boy, keeping the 2-acre lawn with an old reel-type push mower (no power mowers in those days). His Dad bought a horse for their large garden, and he quickly learned the difference between a turning plow and a middle-buster. When not used for gardening, Old Dan became the neighborhood horse, ridden three-abreast (no saddle and no fences) by all the neighborhood kids, as they explored all the North Longview.
When he was a sophomore in high school, he began working at a newsstand in downtown Longview, working from 6 pm to 10 pm, six days a week. After graduation, he was hired by Mr. C.A. Loftis at the First National Bank, where he made many life-long friends, and he continued his employment there during his time at Kilgore College. Transferring to the University of Texas in Austin, he knew he needed to work while he furthered his education. Local Judge Fred Erisman arranged for him to work on the personal staff of John Ben Sheppard who at the time was Secretary of State and later Attorney General of Texas.
Mr. Huffman was a third-generation member of Winterfield United Methodist Church, having been a member for over 85 years. The church was the center of their spiritual and social life, and he jokingly said that sometimes he felt like he might have been born there. Some of his favorite scriptures were the Psalm 23, Psalm 100, and John 8:32, which he thought to be the most “liberating” passage in the Bible.
Charles always considered the best day of his life to be December 12, 1959, when he and Billie Ann Raywinkle were married at Winterfield Church. She has stood by his side for 64 years through good times and hard times. When things seemed difficult and he wanted to give up, she would not allow it. He has always considered that she is the “glue” that has bonded his family together and continues to be the best and greatest blessing ever bestowed upon him.
The family unit was complete when Kelly (1961) and Mark (1963) were born. They have given their parents many happy days, and their friends always found a welcome and lots of meals at the Huffman house. Their trail bikes, dogs, cats and horses gave them lots of good times and many memories.
Kelly married Pamela Jill Thompson in June 1991, and they have blessed their parents with three of the most perfect granddaughters in the world. Pam and Kelly imbued the girls with excellent study habits, a sense of self confidence and a strong spiritual platform on which they have continued to build their lives. All have chosen outstanding young men as their mates as they pursue their goals in life. Maggie (Nick Boles) has a degree in Physical Therapy and has recently completed her studies as a Certified Physicians Assistant in Orthopedic Surgery. Sarah (Scottie Scott) is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and Kellianne (Carson Lambert) is a practicing Optometrist. It’s no wonder that their grandparents are proud of them.
Mr. Huffman retired in 2006 from the Peter Kiewit Company, an international construction company with regional offices in Fort Worth, TX, serving a three-state area. He particularly enjoyed working with attorneys and professional engineers and was pleased to have assembled over two billion dollars in sub-contracts for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for Hurricane Katrina work, as well as several hundred million with the Texas Department of Transportation for highway and bridge construction work across the state.
Charles believed that a passion enriched every life, and he found his in his love for Arabian horses. Over the years he and his sons owned several and it was always his hope if you were fortunate enough to own horse, you would choose an Arabian. Sometimes they become your best friend and seem to renew your spirit many times, in many ways. His family was pleased to be able to donate quality horses to Windridge Equestrian Riding Center and Heartlight Ministries for use in their therapeutic riding programs.
Always seeking to broaden his knowledge, he loved good books, good conversation, good friends and a wide genre of good music. The grand old hymns of the church were an important part of his life.
Two of his favorites became almost like anthems to him and he requested they be used at his memorial service: “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” and the lilting Irish melody “O Danny Boy”.
The family would love to welcome your presence on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM at Winterfield United Methodist Church for a Celebration of Charles’s life; a time of visitation and fellowship will be held following the Celebration.
Memorials, if desired may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or the Winterfield United Methodist Church Endowment Fund (2616 Tryon Rd, Longview, TX 75605).
Special thanks to Irene Johnson and the staff of Highland Park Home Health for the outstanding care.
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