Jack E. Hufford

IN MEMORY OF JACK E HUFFORD

Specialist 4th Class Jack E Hufford, born November 11, 1932, passed away October 27, 2024 at the age of 91 while in hospice at home in Carmel, IN. He was born in Rossville, IN to Paul E. and Zelma L. Hufford.

Jack attended Rossville High School, where he engaged in many extracurriculars, including band and athletics. He graduated in 1950, honored as the president of the senior class. He met his first wife, Alyce (nee Nicholas) Miller and married in 1959. Though Jack and Alyce divorced and both later remarried, they were blessed with two children, Jeffrey Lynn Hufford and Jon E Hufford.

Jack loved sports from a young age, and this showed through his accomplishments. He was awarded All Hoosier Conference basketball honors in his senior year of high school. Originally signed to play at Purdue University, he ended up playing guard at the University of South Carolina (1952-1955). He was called “the Sphinx” by his teammates, as he seldom spoke either on or off the court. Jack was a hard-nosed, hustling, versatile player. What he lacked in stature, he made up for in grit. Jack continued his passion with basketball for many years after his playing days were over, coaching little league teams, including those his sons played in.

Jack pursued athletics his entire life, eventually shifting his focus to golf and running. He was a solid golfer with an awkward swing but an uncanny ability to shoot low scores. As in his other sporting endeavors, he got better the tougher the games got. He loved playing in the American United Life golf leagues and especially enjoyed his time after retirement golfing with the lifelong friends he made at work. He took up running around the middle of his life, and it became a commitment and passion until he finally hung up his running shoes in his late 60s. He ran many races over the years, including several mini-marathons (including one on a fractured ankle), and the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta with his son, Jon and daughter-in-law Kathryn.

Following college graduation, Jack entered the Army branch of the United States military. He served from June 24, 1955 as a radio operator until June 21, 1957, when he was honorably discharged as a Specialist 3rd class. Jack then served in the United States Army Reserve, where he achieved Specialist 4th class, and was honorably discharged May 31, 1963.

Throughout his early life, Jack was a member at Church at the Crossing, where he put his warmth and care to use through serving as an elder and on the Visitation Team.

Along with athletics, church, and military service, Jack led a productive life backed by his hard work ethic. Jack began his illustrious career in the life insurance industry with his first position at People’s Home Life Insurance Company. He then worked as an auditor at American United Life before being promoted to Treasurer, the role he occupied until retiring in 1999. It was at American United Life where Jack met his wife, Stephanie Hufford (nee Hensley), through a friend. 

Jack and Stephanie were married on June 21, 1997, and enjoyed 27 years of marriage. They soon found they enjoyed traveling, experiencing two honeymoons. They traveled to Myrtle Beach for a shorter trip, and later to Estes Park Dude Ranch. Despite not knowing how to swim and maintaining a general dislike of water, Jack displayed a sense of adventure when he agreed to attempt white water rafting, later learning the weather conditions made this especially difficult. The difficult water caused a woman in another raft to fall out, and Jack and others assisted in rescuing her.

Jack’s adventurous spirit extended to many travels he took with his wife, visiting locations too numerous to count. They enjoyed parasailing, snorkeling, and viewing natural sites, such as the volcanoes, in Hawaii. Jack and Stephanie also enjoyed many trips to Arizona, indulging Jack’s love of leisurely baseball and brats with coney sauce by watching the spring training for the White Sox.

While married, Jack and Stephanie continued on as members of Church at the Crossing, continuing to create a hospitable atmosphere through greeting at the door. They also participated in the Sunday Cheers Class Bible Study and Small Group Bible Study. They changed churches in recent years, beginning to attend St. Mark’s United Methodist Church just before the pandemic. Though physical attendance was restricted due to health concerns, it was important to Jack and Stephanie to maintain their spiritual growth, and they attended church and Bible classes virtually throughout the week.

Jack also loved his large family, many of whom survive him. Jack and Stephanie also enjoyed seeing family grow through social media and visiting a plethora of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, until his health made travel too difficult.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Paul “Earl” Hufford and Zelma Hufford, brother Jimmy “Jim” Hufford, plus many aunts & uncles.

Jack is survived by a large and loving family, including his wife, Stephanie, his sons, Jeff Hufford and Jon (Kathryn) Hufford, and stepdaughter Gabrielle (Nathan) Schiesser. His surviving grandchildren are: Ashley (Daniel) Kartchner, with children Adrian Ball, Cooper Smith, and Aidan Kartchner; Adam Hufford; Garrett (Karlee) Hufford, with children Eden Hufford, Cooper Hufford, Ella Hufford, Garrison Hufford, Nora Hufford, Bennett Hufford, Pierce Hufford, Elliot Hufford, Hattie Hufford, Keller Hufford, Amelia Hufford, and Graham Hufford; Alannah (William) Cook, with children Zane Cook, Rae Cook, and Amari Cook; Jack Hufford, with son Artëm; Faith (Jonathan) Hunter; and Passion Schiesser.

In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make contributions in Jack’s memory to:

Village Project Africa Mission in Makutano, Kenya (https://villageprojectafrica.org/) OR St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Carmel, IN, Mission Guatemala

The family wants to thank Brighton Hospice for their kindness and professional care. Special thanks to Karen, CNA, Lindsey, RN; Morgan-Social Worker; Rhonda, RN; Tammy, RN; as well as Carey, Valerie and the many others who were involved. The family also wants to thank Brighton Hospice who uses At Home Health Equipment (AAHE) for their quick delivery service.