Emmett Sterling Huff Jr.

Lt Col Huff was born on November 12, 1934. He was the son of Emmett Sterling Huff Sr and Jewel Fulgham of Fouke, Arkansas. He joined the Marine Corps Reserves at the age of 18. He was commissioned as a Marine Corps Officer after he graduated from the University of Houston in 1957. During his career in the Marine Corps, Lt Col Huff served two tours in Vietnam and was highly decorated. His first tour was as an infantry officer. The second was as an advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps. He counts many of the men he served with as close and personal friends. His awards include: Bronze Star Medal w/”V” and two gold Stars; Navy Commendation Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation with 1 star; Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal with one star; Vietnam Service Medal w 5 stars; Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross Color with Palm and frame; Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil actions Color 1st class with Palm and Gold frame; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with 1 silver, 1 gold and 2 bronze Stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with devise; Letter of Commendation; Letter of Appreciation; Vietnamese Unit Commendation. After the two tours in Vietnam he returned to school and obtained a Master’s Degree from the University of Houston. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1977. Lt. Col Huff, now retired, pursued and obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the South Texas College of Law. He actively practiced law, or as he described it “Civilized Combat,” until the day of his death. In addition to his law practice he was active in the numerous Marine organizations.

He is survived by four children. Emmett Sterling Huff III DO, FACEP an emergency physician. Susan Ryan Murry BA, a department chairman at Texas High School. William Claughton Huff PE, an engineer at Lockheed Martin. Russell Christian Huff CPA, a certified public accountant. Lt. Col Huff also has12 grandchildren. In addition he is survived by a special friend, Theresa Trojacek DVM and her son, the young man whom he referred to as his surrogate son, Lt Wesley Trojacek USMC.

It is said that when an old Marine dies, a library burns. Our father was a vast collection of history and adventure stories, of advice and opinions and thoughts…and maybe even a few tall tales. One author that he admired highly was Rudyard Kipling. He passed this admiration on to his children. Reading to them and having them memorize many of Kipling’s stories and poems. There was one particular passage from the Jungle Book that came to their minds when he passed away.

Mowgli sat with his head on his knees, careless of anything else, while the remnant of the flying dholes were being overtaken and run down by the merciless lahinis. Little by little the cries died away, and the wolves returned limping, as their wounds stiffened, to take stock of the losses. Fifteen of the Pack, as well as half a dozen lahinis, lay dead by the river, and of the others not one was unmarked. And Mowgli sat through it all till the cold daybreak, when Phao’s wet, red muzzle was dropped in his hand, and Mowgli drew back to show the gaunt body of Akela.

“Good hunting!” said Phao, as though Akela were still alive, and then over his bitten shoulder to the others: “Howl, dogs! A wolf has died tonight!”

God broke the mold when he made this man.

In lieu of flowers please donate to The Wounded Warrior Project in his name at 4899 Belfort Rd. Suite 300 Jacksonville, FL 32256. We feel that he would appreciate this.