Earl E. Huddleston

He left home at the age of 18, catching a freight train headed west. What an experience for a young person. He stopped in Fresno, where there were some young people that he knew who lived here. He met a lovely young lady at the apartment house where they both lived. She was attending 4C's Business College, and he (as he said) did any job that was available in 1939.

Earl and Mildred Dillon of Hanford were married in April of 1941. Earl wasn't able to enlist in the regular services, so he went into the Merchant Marines, after Pearl Habor. He was in a convoy to Russia when his ship was torpedoed, which sunk and was rescued. This ship was then torpedoed, sunk, and rescued. This happened all in one day, a record? Following his service in the Atlantic, Earl served in the Pacific theatre.

He had many sales representative jobs during the years. He was an area manager for 3M when he retired. He volunteered as a driver for the American Cancer Society's "Angels on Wheels" program and was involved in the program for years. This was important to Earl because Mildred was a cancer survivor.

The regular morning meeting with buddies for coffee was a must. This was a 30 year tradition of matching wits and telling stories with them.

Earl joins his wife Mildred, of 70 years; his daughter, Judith Donihue; his son, Richard Huddleston; and grandson, Ryan Donihue with the Lord.

He is survived by his grandaughter, Kimberly Haverly and her husband Ladd, of St. Charles, Mo.; and his great-grandchildren, Natasha, Roman, and Savanana Haverly.

Visitation will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowes, donations may be made to your favorite charity; or to the American Cancer Society of America.