James E. Huff

James Elwood Huff, age 92, of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away Thursday morning at the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, after a short battle with lung cancer. Jim was born in Piedmont, Ohio on May 26, 1920 to Harmon and Edna Huff. He was one of five children, with brothers Harmon and George, and sisters Laura and Edna. In 1935, the family moved to Johnstown, Ohio and Jim went to Johnstown High School where he was a three-sport athlete. He completed all twelve years without ever missing a single day of school.

He entered the Army Air Corps in 1939 and was stationed in the Philippines when the war started. He survived the battle for the Philippines, the Bataan Death March and spent the entire war in Japan as a POW. He received recognition for his service including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

After the war, Jim went to Ohio University and Ohio State to study and received his Bachelor’s degree in soil conservation. He spent his career working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in various cities throughout Ohio. He moved to Napoleon in 1954. After retiring from the USDA, he worked for the Maumee Valley Conservancy District in Northwest Ohio.

He is survived by his wife, Anella, sons: Greg Huff (Kathie) and Michael Hoffman (Diane) and daughters: Carol Showers (Denny), Pat Stoner and Nancy Holmes (Scott). Jim was blessed with ten grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren.

Jim had been very active in the Napoleon community. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and the Lion’s Club. He had generously supported the Henry County Hospital, Kid’s Kingdom, the Napoleon School system and many national, state and local charities. He was a very beloved, wonderful and respected father and a great friend to many people.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Paul United Methodist Church, Rev. Lindy Maurice-Saum, officiating. Interment will be made in St. John’s United Church of Christ Cemetery, Holgate, Ohio, where military honors will be accorded by the joint veterans posts of Napoleon.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Walker Mortuary, Napoleon, Ohio on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and on Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church.

The family has suggested that memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul United Methodist Church, Defiance Area Hospice Center or to the Napoleon Lion’s Club.