John Thomas Huffman

John Thomas Huffman was born on March 5th 1948 in Los Angeles, Ca. to Ross Huffman and Elsie Blaschko Huffman. John was the youngest of four children. He had one Brother, George, and two Sisters, Carol and Alice. They lived in Los Angeles for awhile before moving to Gardena.

John went to St. Anthony’s school in Gardena until High School and then he attended Divine Word in Riverside. This is where he learned to love Riverside.

He said if it wasn’t for the priests there he never would have learned algebra as they spent many hours tutoring him. He left Divine Word after two years and went to Juniper Serra in Gardena where he finished High School in 1967. He went on to college for a year and a half, at that time he was going to be drafted so he chose to go into the Air Force where he spent the next four years.

During his High School years he met Jane Thompson soon to be Mrs. Jane Huffman. They were married on May 10th 1969 in Rantoul, Illinois at Chanute Air Force Base. They lived in Illinois until they were transferred to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California until he was sent to Viet Nam for 18 months. When he was transferred home they were stationed in Arizona at Luke Air Force Base where their first child Janet was born on Aug.23rd 1972.

John was discharged from the Air Force in February of 1973 and they moved back to Riverside. John went back to college to become an electrician and joined IBEW local 440.

On May 9th 1977 their second child Julie was born. John eventually went to work for the California Department of Forestry (now Cal Fire) as an electrician Supervisor for Southern California. Eventually their family expanded to include 2 wonderful son-in-laws Jerry and James. Through the years he was given his most precious gifts his grandchildren. Anthony came first, then J.T (short for John Thomas), followed by Cali and lastly Ava.

He retired from Cal Fire on April 30th 2008. He loved sitting on the front porch in his swing watching the birds, talking to his dogs, and waiting for the kids and Grandchildren to come over. If they didn’t come over every day he was on the phone wondering where they were.

John struggled with his health for the last year but he never gave up hope and never got discouraged I strive to live up to his example. He was the best Husband any one could ever ask for, the best Dad, and Grandfather. We will miss you every day and our love for you will never fade.

In Lieu of Flowers please make donations to:

Rebirthhomes.com

Rebuilding the lives of Human Trafficking Victims

Arrangements under the direction of Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, Riverside, CA.