Garry Luverne Huffman, age 83, passed away in rural Putnam County, Missouri, on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Garry was born March 23,1938, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to James and Opal (James) Huffman. Garry was married Betty Jean Baker in 1958. They were married for 31 years before her death in 1989.They had 3 boys, Ricky, Michael, and Russell. Garry loved attending Bluegrass Festivals, dancing, and watching Westerns. He always loved a good laugh and catching up with the latest news at his favorite coffee shops. Another favorite hobby was taking his welding skills to the racetrack in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he was filmed welding on a race car for the 1968 movie “Fever Heat.” He was so proud to be a part of that.
Garry had several jobs over the years all of which he took great pride in. He started out at the Brooklyn Rock Quarry as a machine operator, then Massy Ferguson as a welder, and Indianola Central Paving as a machine operator for many years. Following the move of his family to Missouri, he started working for Missouri Mining as a bulldozer operator. After Missouri Mine closed he took his skills to start his own business “Huffman Bulldozing.” After many years of fighting to keep up with expensive repairs he decided to switch gears and drive a truck for MFA. Also, in the mix Garry found time to be fire chief for many years at the Elm Township Fire Department. Following all that he drove a maintainer to help build the Putnam County school and did the dirt work for their ball field. Finally at 81 years of age he settled into his last and favorite job, maintaining roads in Wilson township.
Garry is survived by his two sons, Michael (Diane) Huffman of Searsboro, Iowa, and Russell Huffman of Graysville, Missouri. Three granddaughters and 7 great grandchildren also survive.
Garry was preceded in death by his wife Betty Jean Huffman, their son Ricky Huffman, his sister Phyllis, and parents James and Opal Huffman.
Funeral services for Garry will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville at 11:00 am Friday, November 12, 2021. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at the Lone Pine Cemetery north of Martinstown.
Memorials are suggested and checks should be made to the Martinstown School Project and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565