Jake Huffman

Jake L. Huffman, born October 17, 1932, went to his heavenly home on November 7, 2023 with the love and support of his wife Betty, son Mark, daughters Tammie and Janice, and all of his family at his side. Preceding him in death are his daughter Teena in 2022, son in law Chuck in 2018, and grandson Shawn in 2016. Jake was born to Thea and Laura Huffman in Scurry Tx, with siblings Rine, Edith, Don, and Sharon. Jake quit school in fifth grade to work and help his single mother raise his sisters and disabled brother. Growing up, he never missed a chance to sneak out, pushing Don in a wheelchair, and to meet up with friends at the “Brickyard” and see what mischief they could get into. These good friends and their family went on to be a part of his whole life. Jake and his friends were all drafted into the Army. Jake was a mechanic and drove water trucks while stationed in El Paso, New Mexico. Jake told many prankster stories from the Army and he would leave his listeners laughing. He also test fired Niki Supersonic Ajax Missiles at target drones. Guns were slow to produce, due to these new-to-war guided missile anti aircraft systems. In 1953, while stationed at Red Canyon Range Camp, 15 miles from Carrizozo, while on furlough he went to a local skating rink; while he was there Betty Leslie was skating and happened to fall, so Jake picked her up, and he never let her go for the next 68 happy years in marriage, along with four perfect children (well, perfect in their eyes)! Through both of their hard work and talent to “stretch a dime into a dollar” they raised Teena, born 1955, Tammie, 1958, Janice,19 61, and Mark, 1962 on Alamo Street. The family grew with lots of love, chores, and discipline, along with endless switches growing out back. Many mouth dropping, knee slapping, funny stories have been passed down through the generations of Jake, Billy Jacobs, Whitey Valentine, Sammy Dodd, Billy Cernoch and June Jacobes along with their wives and kids. Fun times at the lake or at one of their homes were shared around a roaring campfire, hot dogs and the smell of burnt marshmallows, and of course the rodeo with June Jacobs. Jake bought the famous “Tumbler Ride” and had it placed on Alamo St. for all the kids who would come from miles around to play on it. Jake bought a playhouse for his “Janice Setas” and all the neighborhood kids came to play in it as well. Betty and Jake bought and ran a grocery store on Ninth Street while Teena was a toddler and they lived in its upstairs apartment, but they soon sold it. Jake worked at various jobs before his employment at Van Der Horst Chromium planting train cylinders. Jake and his best friend, Bill Jacobs, began to form a partnership installing water lines and septic tanks where Jake and especially Bill became masters at running large machinery: backhoe, brush hog, street maintainer, bulldozer, trencher and more. As contractors, Jake and Bill began building over 30 government brick homes along with buying land to sell. They also built a two story home for Jack Evans, the dean of Terrell's Southwestern Christian College, with swinging beds included. Jake and Betty started buying houses on the market and a few trailer homes along with building 3 large shops on highway 80, all rented out for their own personal steady rental income. The rental home Jake built into a duplex on the corner of Alamo and Catherine was actually Terrell’s first church as it was started as a tent, then poles and roof added, then built into a pier beam wood frame. Jake bought it and gutted it and rebuilt and bricked it. Jake and his dad, Thea, spent quality time building its kitchen cabinets together. Jake worked full time during the week with Bill on water lines and septic tanks, then Jake and Betty would be found most weekends working on rentals with country songs on the radio propped up there on saw horses. Jake whistling tunes between saw blades buzzing and the smell of sawdust. Many fond memories have been spoken often between Chuck, Teena, and Janice about growing up, while in junior high and high school they were part time employed by Jake on rentals in Greenville, Tyler, and Terrell. Jake's health started declining after a stroke, and then a heart stent was put in. Fortunately, Mark was already living at Jake and Betty’s home for many years, and he was employed working on their rentals, so they also employed him to be their caretaker. Jake retired, due to health problems, after about 16 years, and rightfully earned his rest. Often said, he sure missed the coffee cup in hand and heading out the door to start his day while spilling coffee everywhere, daily losing coffee cups, just to find them perched on some fence post down every country road around while he was out digging ditches. Jake selected the highest point of land to build the present Spanish style home for Betty and in this home they hosted Christmases and birthday parties for every family member and they all enjoyed the trampoline, pond, and entertainment that Jake and Betty provided . Like the houses Jake and Betty built, they also built their legacy of a firm foundation for each family member to have and pass down to many generations to come. Jake leaves behind 4 generations which he was part of the 5th generation for their family. All are welcome to come visit for a while on the back porch swing and share your story and laugh. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2023 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel in Terrell, Texas. Burial will follow at Elmo Cemetery.

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Jake Huffman

October 17, 1932 - November 7, 2023