Dennis Wayne Huffman

Dennis “Denny” Wayne Huffman, 69, passed away on December 17, 2022, in La Porte, Texas. He was born on June 25, 1953, at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana to Troy and Betty Huffman, who were from Texas. They moved to Pasadena, Texas when he was two years old.

Denny touched the lives of many people, and he is deeply missed. Denny enjoyed playing his guitars and listening to music; along with keeping in touch with his family and friends. He taught himself to play the guitar at a young age with his “ear” for music and notes. During high school he was in a band that performed at Sam Rayburn High School as well as other venues. He continued to play his guitars his whole life and everyone always enjoyed whatever he played. He was excellent with landscaping and maintaining his yard and made many neighborhood friends while doing so on Saturdays. His pride in ownership was also seen in the detailed upkeep of his truck, home, other vehicles, and garage. He was and will forever be remembered as an incredibly talented guitar player, hard worker, and a dependable, loving, and compassionate husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Denny was known to be the best mechanic around. Even as a little boy he would “work on” his pedal car in the garage with his dad’s work light and tools. He earned his ASE certification in 1977 and became a Certified Mechanic. Then in 1980 he became an ASE Certified Master Mechanic (Master Automobile Technician).

Denny graduated from San Jacinto College in 1978 with a Certificate of Technology-Automotive Mechanic with additional studies in business administration; he worked almost his whole life in the automotive business. After graduation he was a mechanic at Adams Gulf Full Service Station in Houston, Texas with his best friend Stan Adams. He began working for General Motors Chevrolet Motor Division in 1978 as a consumer relations clerk. He evaluated and set up procedures to solve customer complaints and inquiries related to all areas of service operations. Later as a Mobile Training Van Instructor he provided dealership service management and technicians with current information on product related problems and coordinated training of dealership service and warranty personnel. By 1979 he was the Area Service Manager of ten Houston area Chevrolet dealerships in warranty administration, out-of-warranty adjustments, and technical problems.

From 1980 to 1987, Denny was the Quality Control-Customer Relations Manager at two Chevrolet Dealerships. There, he inspected vehicle repairs, assisted technicians, and established customer satisfaction. He was a Master Certified Mechanic as well, for many years, in La Porte at Chevrolet as well as a GM Master Mechanic. From 1987-1992, he was a Certified Technician at the Houston Vehicle Preparation Center at BMW of North America in La Porte. He tested and inspected all vehicle systems, reported problems encountered, recommended repair procedures to management and manufacturer, and did inspection and damage surveys of incoming BMW vehicles to the Port of Houston. He worked for BMW of North America, La Porte until they closed in 1992.

Denny worked 13 years for Snap-On Tools. He started as a Technical Specialist with the purchase of a Snap-On truck for diagnostic and electronic equipment where he sold equipment to independent repair shops, dealerships, and industrial customers. With his position he also conducted training seminars for his customers. Denny later sold the equipment truck and purchased a tool truck to begin his position as a Franchised Dealer for Snap-On Tools where he operated a profitable small business. In Denny’s fourth year he sold the tool truck and purchased a commercial van for his new position as Field Manager. Denny did field training of new franchisees; assuring they had a good working knowledge of operating their business day to day. Denny was a caring, dependable, and respected manager to his 14 franchisees.

Denny was a great speaker at the Snap-On conventions. One time a Harley Davidson was to be awarded in a sales promotion and Denny drove the motorcycle out on the floor before the winner was announced.

Before retiring, Denny worked in chemical plant warehouse operations.

Denny and Darlene shared a beautiful marriage of 47 years that began in 1975. They were classmates in junior high and high school. Darlene fondly remembers Denny sitting behind her in high school English and how cute she thought he was. They reacquainted four years after high school, across town, and Denny approached her and immediately remembered her name. It was only three days later that Denny asked Darlene to marry him. He was an exceptional, loving, and considerate husband.

Denny was a wonderful father known to his daughter, Alycia, as “Daddy”. As a child, she always followed him around and wanted to do whatever he was doing. Many times, that included working outside whether it was on the car or his truck, in the garage, or in the yard. She would even put on her “work clothes” and he would put a red shop towel in her back pocket. When she was a little older, they had matching yellow Walk-mans that hung from their back pockets too. He was always encouraging her academic accomplishments and proud that she attended Texas A&M University where they made many wonderful memories. As a family they spent most of their time together at home, at Texas A&M and at “the farm”. He was always a gentle but firm influence throughout her life and continued to be that for his granddaughter, Layla, as well. Alycia, her husband Chris, and Layla shared many memorable, fun times with Denny and Darlene.

As a grandfather, Denny was protective, gentle, loving and patient with his granddaughter, Layla, who called him “Grandpoppa”. He spent hours with her in his garage teaching her the names of tools, nuts and bolts, and all things related to guitars and amplifiers. He let her arrange and rearrange many of his things. He bought her first guitar and taught her to play. They spent many days playing guitars, singing, listening to music, and doing activities of her choice. Their time spent together was precious and will forever be remembered.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Darlene; their daughter, Alycia Huffman Miller and her husband Chris; granddaughter, Layla Grace Miller; sister, Donna Bell and her husband Don; brother, Steven Huffman and his wife Wanda; sister-in-law Carol Dunkel and her husband Bob; nephews, James Richmond (Jenn), Daniel Richmond (Megan), and Brian Bell (Erin); niece, Jessica Sitka (Matt); and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Denny was preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Betty Huffman; nephew, David Ray Bell; and best friend, Tim McCrory.