James Larry Huff

Huff, James Larry, 81, of Wichita, Kansas, passed on March 20, 2024. He was born in Oakland (Alameda), California to the late George Washington and Nelly (Holt) Huff. At the age of 16, he graduated from Fremont High School in California before heading to college at Oakland City College where his sights were set on a business degree.

Before this, Jim began work young. First, sweeping floors at the local grocery store to help his parents buy clothes and then, as a teen, he stocked shelves, delivered groceries, and helped in any way needed. It was this work ethic that propelled him through school and sent him to volunteer for the service. He wasn’t drafted because he was too tall, yet he wanted to serve, so he joined the Army on May 6, 1965, at Ft. Gordon, Georgia then to West Point, New York as an MP (Military Police).

While at West Point, his life would change, when after a blind date, set up by fellow MP, Nick Bickoff and his girlfriend, Jim was introduced to Linda Thomas, a registered nurse. They went bowling and dancing on that first date, and after a few calls, he’d ask her on a second date 3 weeks later, where he asked her to be his bride. She said yes in January and on March 2, 1966, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, they exchanged "I Do’s" a month before he left for Vietnam.

They made the most of that month as they headed to Tulsa to meet his brother, to his parents in Oakland, California and continued with a motor trip taking in the sights along the California coast, San Francisco, Oregon, Washington State and even took a fairy to Victoria, before taking the side roads through British CO, heading east across Canada before dropping down into Idaho and ending their time seeing the “balanced rock” in Grand County, Utah. Later, upon his return from Vietnam, he continued to serve as an MP at Ft. Meade in Maryland and as their lives started as an adventure, they’d were ready to enjoy the many places it was going to take them.

To this union would be two children, Amy and Eric, and Jim was a hands on father from the time they were little. He’d lay on the floor with Amy and draw her letters, then they’d find them in the newspaper, teaching her. There was time outside playing with them both, the neighborhood kids even came knocking asking if “Mr. Huff” could come outside. He took them through the woods, tossed a ball, fixed up old bikes and gave them to those in need and so much more.

James proudly served through March 5, 1968, honorably discharged as an SP4-E4 where he proudly earned the “National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, 2 O/S Bars; and an Expert Badge Rifle M14. To this his family and friends were honored to be by his side.

After the military, Jim went on to receive a Criminal Justice Degree from American University at Georgetown, Washington while working as an MP with Prince Georges County, Maryland, where he was proud to be in the Fraternal Order of Police and where he’d stay until he took an early retirement on May 31, 1985. Wanting to change up from the big city, they then moved to a suburb of Garland, Texas, where he was dreaming of a quiet life, so he began working for New Liberty Baptist Church teaching Sunday School, helping with the Awana’s and more. This was from 1985 until 2005, when he retired officially and they moved to Wichita, Kansas to be in a quiet place, like their childhoods.

Now, when not settled in reading history books, they loaded up and spent their summers camping across the country to visit their daughter in Amarillo, son, back near Dallas, and the sights in California. They may head out west to see Mt. Rushmore in Rapid City, IA, the colors of Yellowstone, Muir Woods in Northern California, the four corners, Wild Bill Cody’s stomping grounds in the badlands of South Dakota and even the eastern shore beaches of New Jersey, Maryland, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There was even time abroad to Ireland and Scotland before heading back to the beaches and up to New England, Quebec, Toronto and on to the West Coast in British Columbia through Idaho.

Preceded by his parents and brother, Paul Huff, those left to cherish his memory are wife, Linda; sister, Linda Davis; daughter, Amy (Ken) Hansen; son, Eric (Cindy) Huff; grandson, Corbin Huff; as well as many nieces and nephews.

As you can see, Jim had a full life filled with family at home and at church along with a rewarding career. For this we are thankful to celebrate his life with you.

A visitation for James will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and a graveside service will occur Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Resthaven Mortuary and Gardens of Memory, Garden of Freedom, Lot 164B, Space 2, 11800 W. Kellogg, Wichita, Kansas 67209.