Alton "Al" Calvin Huffine

POTTSBORO – Alton (Al) Huffine was born May 28, 1925 to Dee and Eula Huffine in Cyril, Oklahoma and passed from this life on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham, TX.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. at Lakeway United Methodist Church in Pottsboro, TX on Tuesday, December 28, 2010, Co-officiated by Chaplain Bill Beasley from the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham, TX and Pastor Allen Snyder from Lakeway United Methodist Church.

Al joined the U.S. Army on his 18th birthday at the outbreak of WWII and was sent to Italy and later to the 3rd Division, 7th Army. Al participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Colmar Pocket and the Strausburg Battle. In October, 1944, he was reported as missing in action for five days. He was a highly decorated soldier with thirteen severe wounds in his upper body and was awarded multiple Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars and numerous other medals. Al spent two years at the Kennedy General Hospital in Memphis, TN, as a result of the massive injuries sustained in the Rhineland Campaign. He ended his overseas tour as a Sargent Squad Leader of the Third Division.

Alton leaves behind his best friend and wife of 65 years, Virginia Huffine; two daughters, Judy Price and her husband, Steve of Tyler, TX; Debbie Scally and her husband Tom of Azle, TX; four grandchildren, Tisha Jones and Tiffany Price, both of Fort Worth, Jeremy Rouse and James Rouse, both of Azle; three step-grandchildren, Melanie Hilty of Denison, Ryan Scally of The Colony, Jesse Scally of Pottsboro; one great-granddaughter, Katilynn Marie Rouse of Azle; two great-grandsons Ethan Bates & Ozzie Scally of Pottsboro; three sisters, Pat Mullenix of Ardmore, OK, Dee Chloe Stinnett of Enid, OK and Jimmi Lou Gray of Cyril, OK.

Al had many accomplishments in life. He joined the Finance and Accounting Office at Fort Sill, OK and retired as Deputy Finance & Accounting Officer after having served 20 years. He then joined the Holiday Inn hotel chain and served as an Innkeeper for many hotels for thirteen years. He later joined the Grayson County Sheriff’s Department where he retired as a Lieutenant. Al then ran for Constable for Precinct 8 and served in that capacity for 6 years. He and Virginia are Charter members of Lakeway Methodist Church in Pottsboro.

Al was a thirty-second degreed Mason for over 50 years, was a life member and Past Commander of the Purple Heart Chapter 612, the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion and the VFW. Al Also spent many years working in various veterans organizations and helping veterans in need.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Alton Huffine asks that donations be made to the Purple Heart Chapter 612, P.O. Box 2732, Sherman, TX 75092 or to Lakeway United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 240, Pottsboro, TX 75076. The family gratefully acknowledges and thanks the Purple Heart Chapter 612 members and the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center staff for the selfless dedication and loyalty shown our beloved husband and father at this time in his life.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Bratcher Funeral Home, 401 W. Woodard Street, Denison, Texas 75020. For further information, please call the funeral home at (903) 465–2323, or for an online obituary, directions or to leave a condolence, please go to www.bratcherfuneralhome.com.